Apply for an international driving licence

Führerscheinstelle · Driving licence & abroad · €15.00–€16.30 depending on the authority

In person · Post · Power of attorney

Legal basis§ 25a FeV and § 25b FeV in conjunction with Annexes 8c and 8d FeV

Fee lawNr. 207 fee schedule GebOSt — range €11.20–€15.30

VerificationChecked against gesetze-im-internet.de

Written and reviewed byAndrés Sánchez Botta

Independent information page: we are not the Führerscheinstelle (driving licence office), not an authority and not a paid advisory service — we do not submit applications on your behalf. All information comes from official sources and is explained here in simple terms; the competent body is always authoritative. The design and period of validity are regulated by federal law; the fee is set within the fee range by the competent driving licence authority, and expenses for dispatch or express processing may be added. All information is provided without guarantee. We are neither lawyers nor tax consultants: we document administrative procedures and check the information against the official source — this is information, not legal or tax advice.

At a glance

Fee

€15.00–€16.30 in practice

Design 1968 (Annex 8d)

Valid 3 years

Design 1926 (Annex 8c)

Valid 1 year

Issuance

Often immediately, otherwise by appointment

Method

In person, by post or power of attorney

Requirement

Age 18 + EU card driving licence

The international driving licence (International Driving Permit, IDP) is not a second driving licence, but a multilingual accompanying document that makes the content of your German driving licence understandable to foreign authorities, police checks and car rental desks. The legal basis in the Driving Licence Ordinance (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, FeV) is § 25a FeV (application for issue of an international driving licence) and § 25b FeV (issue of the international driving licence). Under § 25a Abs. 1 FeV, drivers receive it on application if they have reached the age of 18 and can prove the EU or EEA (EWR) driving licence required under § 6 Abs. 1 FeV.

What matters is the difference between the two designs, which in practice is most often misrepresented. The design under Annex 8c FeV is based on Article 7 and Annex E of the International Convention relative to Motor Traffic of 24 April 1926 (RGBl. 1930 II p. 1233), concluded in Paris, and is valid for one year. The design under Annex 8d FeV is based on Article 41 and Annex 7 of the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968 and is valid for three years. There is no such thing as a “Geneva Convention of 1926”: the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic dates from 1949 and is not named as a basis for issue in § 25b FeV at all. Which design you receive depends on your country of travel; the driving licence authority issues the appropriate document. A colour code for the two designs is laid down neither in § 25b FeV nor in Annexes 8c and 8d — widespread claims such as “grey” or “green” cannot be evidenced in any official source.

Equally important is what the international driving licence does not do: it confers no entitlement to drive of its own domestically, it does not replace your national driving licence, and it is not a replacement document if the latter is lost or stolen. Under § 25b Abs. 4 FeV, the number of the national driving licence must be noted on the international driving licence — it is valid only together with the national card driving licence. Anyone who has only the international document abroad is legally in the position of having presented no driving licence at all.

The figure “approx. €15” has been circulating for years for the fee. It describes the lower limit, not the usual case. The decisive provision is item 207 of the fee schedule annexed to § 1 of the Fee Schedule for Measures in Road Traffic (Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr, GebOSt), “decision on the issue of an international driving licence”, with a range of €11.20 to €15.30, within which the competent authority sets the amount. In practice, in 2026, amounts charged include €15.00 in Berlin, €16.00 in Karlsruhe and €16.30 in Brandenburg an der Havel; the ADAC names a range of €15 to €20 including dispatch. Karlsruhe charges an additional €22.32 for express processing. You should therefore realistically expect around €15 to €17, depending on the authority and dispatch method, and up to €20 in some cases.

Required documents

Valid EU card driving licence in the original. The international driving licence is issued solely on the basis of an existing driving licence; § 25a Abs. 2 FeV expressly requires that “the driving licence” be enclosed with the application. The authority transfers the classes and restrictions from your card driving licence to the international document and notes its number on it. Copies, photos on a smartphone or expired documents are not sufficient — the process will then be discontinued without result.

Identity card or passport. The driving licence authority must establish your identity beyond doubt before issuing an internationally usable document. Both types of identity document are accepted as long as they are valid; anyone identifying themselves with a passport should additionally bring a registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung), because the passport contains no address and local jurisdiction is based on place of residence. You obtain identity documents from your Bürgeramt (citizens’ office).

Current biometric photograph in paper format. § 25a Abs. 2 FeV requires “a photograph that complies with the provisions of the Passport Ordinance”, i.e. a biometrically suitable photo in 35 × 45 mm format, frontal, with a neutral facial expression and an evenly lit background. Important: the requirement for a digital photograph in force since 1 May 2025 applies to the identity card and passport, not the driving licence — driving licence authorities still accept a paper photograph here and need it because it is glued or incorporated into the document. The photograph should be no more than six months old and must not already have been used in another document.

Old paper driving licence — only if you do not yet hold a card driving licence. Anyone who still has the grey or pink paper driving licence must present it; many authorities do not issue the international driving licence directly in this case, but first require the exchange for the EU card driving licence. Allow extra time and a separate fee for this – details can be found under exchanging your driving licence (compulsory exchange). Anyone who only notices this step on the day of travel will usually no longer receive the document in time.

Written power of attorney and identity document of the authorised person — for representation. Many driving licence authorities allow another person to submit the application on your behalf, for example family members or a driving school or administrative service. In that case, an informal power of attorney signed and dated by you, your original documents including the photograph, and the authorised person’s own identity document are required. Whether and to what extent representation is permitted depends on the competent authority.

Signed application and return envelope — for written application. If your authority offers the postal route, send in the completed and signed application form together with the photograph, a copy of your identity document and your card driving licence; some authorities require the driving licence in the original, others accept a two-sided copy. Clarify in advance how the fee is to be paid, because the document will not be dispatched without receipt of payment. Also allow for postal transit times in both directions.

Proof of residence — if resident outside Germany. Under § 25a Abs. 1 FeV, the international driving licence may only be issued if the holder is resident in Germany or in a state that is not a party to the 1968 Convention. Anyone registered abroad should clarify this point with the authority before applying and bring suitable evidence, otherwise the application will be rejected.

Step by step

Checking whether you actually need the document

Before booking an appointment, clarify the actual need for your country of travel. Within the EU and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, your valid German card driving licence is sufficient — the international driving licence is simply unnecessary there. The answer differs for third countries: in the USA it is recommended, because the German driving licence is not recognised in every state and car rental companies regularly require it; in Thailand, the design under the 1968 Convention is mandatory; for Australia and New Zealand, the German driving licence together with a certified translation is sufficient; and for Japan, a Japanese translation is required instead of the international driving licence. Always check the current requirements for your specific destination.

Checking the requirements under § 25a FeV

The entitlement does not exist unconditionally. You must have reached the age of 18 — holders of a driving licence for accompanied driving from 17 do not yet receive the document — and must prove a valid EU or EEA (EWR) driving licence of the class you wish to drive abroad. In addition, there is the residence requirement: it is only issued if you are resident in Germany or in a state that is not a party to the 1968 Convention. Also check the remaining period of validity of your national driving licence, as it limits the period of validity of the international document.

Identifying the competent authority and securing an appointment

The competent body is the driving licence authority at your principal residence — depending on the federal state, it is called the Führerscheinstelle, the Straßenverkehrsamt (road traffic office) or the federal state office for citizens’ and public order matters (Landesamt für Bürger- und Ordnungsangelegenheiten). In many cities, Bürgeramt offices also accept the application, which can significantly shorten the waiting time. Whether you can attend without an appointment or must book online depends on the competent authority; in conurbations, appointments are often booked out weeks in advance. Apply for the document early, not only in the week before departure.

Assembling the photograph and documents

Obtain a current biometric passport photo in paper format and have it ready together with your card driving licence and identity document. Do not be put off by the fact that photo studios now mostly offer digital photographs: this requirement applies to the identity card and passport, while the driving licence authority still needs a paper photograph for the international driving licence. Ask the photographer explicitly for a printed copy. Anyone who still has a paper driving licence should clarify the exchange beforehand.

Submitting the application — in person, by post or through an authorised person

On site, you fill in a short application form stating, in addition to your personal details, the region for which you need the document; from this, the authority determines whether the design under Annex 8c or Annex 8d is to be issued. Many authorities also offer the application in writing by post or through an authorised person — both avoid the appointment but extend the processing time. If your application is based on a driving licence issued between 1 January 1999 and 18 January 2013, the authority determines the classes under the special rules of § 25b Abs. 2a and 3a FeV and transfers additional restrictions.

Pay the fee

The fee is due on application and is based on item 207 of the fee schedule in the annex to § 1 GebOSt, with a range of €11.20 to €15.30. In practice, amounts set in 2026 are €15.00 in Berlin, €16.00 in Karlsruhe and €16.30 in Brandenburg an der Havel; if dispatch costs or express processing are added, around €20 is realistic. Which means of payment are accepted — cash, debit card or advance bank transfer — depends on the competent authority; do not rely on card payment being possible.

Receiving the document and using it correctly

Berlin and Karlsruhe state that they issue the international driving licence immediately, so you can take it with you at the same appointment. Other authorities dispatch the document or release it for collection after a few working days — this too depends on the competent authority. On receipt, check that the number of your national driving licence is correctly noted and that all classes have been transferred, because a later correction means a new process. Always carry both documents together when travelling; the international driving licence alone is not recognised by police or car rental companies.

Fees & costs

Item	Amount
Fee range, Nr. 207 GebOSt fee schedule	€11.20–€15.30
Berlin (LABO, as of 2026)	€15.00
Karlsruhe (citizens’ services)	€16.00
Karlsruhe — express processing surcharge	+ €22.32
Brandenburg an der Havel	€16.30
Practical range including dispatch (ADAC)	€15–€20
Biometric photograph (paper format)	Depending on provider, no authority fee
Exchange of an old paper driving licence	Separate fee, see compulsory exchange

The fee for the international driving licence is not a freely calculated local charge, but an administrative fee framed by federal law. Item 207 of the GebOSt fee schedule covers the “decision on the issue of an international driving licence” and sets a range of €11.20 to €15.30. Within this range, the competent driving licence authority sets the specific amount, which is why the actual amounts vary between local authorities.

Higher final amounts than €15.30 are usually explained by additional expenses: dispatch costs, delivery fees or surcharges for accelerated processing are charged on top of the range fee. Karlsruhe lists express processing separately at €22.32 – anyone using it therefore pays a multiple of the basic fee. So do not budget on the often-quoted figure of €15 as the final price, but on around €15 to €17 in the normal case and up to around €20 if dispatch or express processing is added.

Costs outside the authority also arise: the biometric photograph is not a service of the authority and is not covered by the fee; the prices of photo studios and machines vary considerably. Anyone who first has to exchange an old paper driving licence pays a separate, additional fee for this. A refund of the fee if you ultimately do not need the document abroad is not provided for – the fee arises for the decision on the issue, not for the use.

Important notes

Valid only together with the national driving licence. Under § 25b Abs. 4 FeV, the number of the national driving licence must be noted on the international driving licence. The document is thus legally tied to your card driving licence and worthless without it — always take both with you when travelling, including when renting a vehicle.

It confers no entitlement to drive domestically. The international driving licence is not a driving entitlement document within the meaning of German law and entitles you to nothing in Germany beyond what your national driving licence already permits. It is also not a replacement document: if your card driving licence is lost or stolen, you must apply for a replacement driving licence at the driving licence authority — the international one is of no help in this situation.

Not required within the EU, the EEA (EWR) and in Switzerland. In all EU states as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, the valid German card driving licence is sufficient. Anyone renting a vehicle there does not need an additional document; offers advertising a chargeable “international driving licence” for EU travel are superfluous.

Practice differs considerably between countries. In the USA, the document is recommended because the German driving licence is not recognised everywhere and car rental companies require it. For Australia and New Zealand, the German driving licence together with a certified translation is sufficient. In Thailand, the design under the 1968 Convention is mandatory. For Japan, however, the international driving licence does not help — a Japanese translation of the driving licence is required there instead.

Which design applies depends on the treaty status of the country of travel. The three-year document under Annex 8d FeV applies only in states that have joined the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968; for other states, the one-year design under Annex 8c FeV may be considered. The authoritative list of contracting states can be found via the convention’s entry in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt) – the Berlin driving licence authority expressly refers to this in its service description. If in doubt, ask the authority which design is to be issued for your destination.

Time-limited classes shorten the period of validity. Under § 25b Abs. 4 FeV, the period of validity must not exceed the validity of the national driving licence. For classes C, C1, D and D1, the national driving licence is inherently time-limited, so an international driving licence for these classes ends correspondingly earlier – with a remaining validity of one year, therefore after one year, even though the design under Annex 8d is in principle valid for three years.

There is no extension. If the period of validity expires, a new international driving licence must be applied for and the fee paid again. Plan for this during long stays abroad: a document issued domestically cannot be extended from abroad.

Age limit and residence. § 25a Abs. 1 FeV requires you to have reached the age of 18 — anyone driving accompanied at 17 does not yet receive the document. In addition, it is only issued if the place of residence is in Germany or in a state that is not a party to the 1968 Convention; persons registered in another EU country should contact the authority of their state of residence.

People moving in with a foreign driving licence. Anyone moving to Germany with a foreign driving licence does not solve their problem with an international driving licence, but through the recognition and conversion rules of the FeV. Whether and for how long you may drive with the document you brought with you, and when a conversion of a foreign driving licence (Umschreibung) becomes necessary, see converting a foreign driving licence.

Outlook: digital EU driving licence. With the EU driving licence reform adopted in October 2025, a digital driving licence on the smartphone is being introduced, which member states must implement by 2030. This initially changes nothing about the need for an international driving licence for third countries: the two designs under Annexes 8c and 8d are based on international agreements and remain unaffected by it.

Common mistakes

Application with an old paper driving licence

The international driving licence is issued on the basis of the valid EU card driving licence. Anyone presenting only the grey or pink paper driving licence is usually first sent to the compulsory exchange. Result: The appointment lapses without result, the exchange takes several weeks depending on the authority, and the document is often no longer obtainable by the travel date.

Only the international driving licence taken abroad

The document is an accompanying paper and is not valid without the national driving licence; its number is therefore noted on it. Result: During a roadside check, you are treated as driving without a valid driving licence, with the respective sanctions of the country of travel; car rental companies refuse to hand over the vehicle, and in the event of a claim, disputes with the insurer are likely.

Wrong design for the country of travel

The designs under Annex 8c (1926 agreement) and Annex 8d (1968 convention) are effective in different groups of states. Anyone who does not state the country of travel risks the wrong document. Result: In Thailand, for example, only the design under the 1968 Convention is accepted — with the other design, the journey becomes a legal infringement, and the fee has been paid for nothing.

Digital photograph obtained instead of a paper photograph

Since 1 May 2025, many photo studios have by default supplied only the digital photograph, because it is required for the identity card and passport. For the international driving licence, however, the driving licence authority still requires a passport photo in paper format. Result: Without a paper photograph, the application cannot be processed at the appointment; you must obtain a new photograph and attend a second appointment.

Applied for too late

In conurbations, appointments at the driving licence authority are often booked out weeks in advance, and postal transit times in both directions are added for written applications. Result: The document is not available by the departure date. Express processing is not available everywhere and costs extra — in Karlsruhe, an additional €22.32.

Intended as a replacement for a lost national driving licence

The international driving licence is not a driving entitlement document and does not replace a lost card driving licence. Result: Anyone who drives only with the international document after a loss cannot prove their entitlement to drive; instead, a replacement driving licence is required from the driving licence authority.

Period of validity overestimated

It is often assumed that the document is always valid for three years. In fact, the design under Annex 8c is valid for only one year, and in both cases validity ends at the latest with the national driving licence – for the time-limited classes C, C1, D and D1, often considerably earlier. Result: You travel with an expired document that is not recognised in the destination country; it cannot be extended, and a new application is mandatory.

Skipping the translation where it is required

Not every country accepts the international driving licence as a solution. For Japan, a Japanese translation of the driving licence is required; for Australia and New Zealand, the German driving licence with a certified translation is sufficient. Result: Anyone who relies solely on the international document receives no vehicle at the car rental desk and, in case of doubt, is not allowed to drive.

Frequently asked questions

What does the international driving licence cost in 2026?

The fee range under item 207 of the fee schedule for § 1 GebOSt runs from €11.20 to €15.30; the specific amount set depends on the competent authority. In 2026, Berlin charges €15.00, Karlsruhe €16.00 and Brandenburg an der Havel €16.30; the ADAC names a range of €15 to €20 including dispatch. Karlsruhe charges an additional €22.32 for express processing.

How long is the international driving licence valid?

Under § 25b Abs. 4 FeV, the design under Annex 8d, based on the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968, is valid for three years from issue; the design under Annex 8c, based on the International Convention relative to Motor Traffic of 24 April 1926, is valid for one year. In no case may the period of validity exceed the validity of the national driving licence.

In which countries do I need an international driving licence?

In all EU states as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, the valid German card driving licence is sufficient. In the USA, the international driving licence is recommended because the German driving licence is not recognised everywhere and car rental companies regularly require it; in Thailand, the design under the 1968 Convention is mandatory, for Australia and New Zealand the German driving licence with a certified translation is sufficient, and for Japan, a Japanese translation is required instead of the international driving licence.

On which agreements are the two designs based?

The one-year design under Annex 8c FeV is based on Article 7 and Annex E of the International Convention relative to Motor Traffic of 24 April 1926, concluded in Paris. The three-year design under Annex 8d FeV is based on Article 41 and Annex 7 of the Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968. There is no such thing as a Geneva Convention of 1926 — the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic dates from 1949 and is not named as a basis for issue in § 25b FeV.

Which documents must I bring?

You need the valid EU card driving licence in the original, an identity card or passport, and a current biometric photograph in paper format that complies with the provisions of the Passport Ordinance. Anyone who still has an old paper driving licence must also present it, or exchange it for the card driving licence beforehand.

Can I have the international driving licence extended?

No, an extension is not provided for. After the one- or three-year period of validity expires, you must apply for a new international driving licence and pay the fee again.

Can I submit the application by post or through another person?

Many driving licence authorities also accept the application in writing by post or through an authorised person, who presents an informal written power of attorney, their own identity document and your documents. Whether and in what form this is possible, and whether delivery by post is offered, depends on the competent authority.

Does the international driving licence replace the national driving licence?

No. The international driving licence is a pure accompanying document, on which the number of the national driving licence must be noted under § 25b Abs. 4 FeV, and it is valid only together with the latter. It confers no entitlement to drive of its own domestically, and it is also not a replacement document if the national driving licence is lost.