Switching over of US drivers license

[Nixon]

I was lazy and waited over 4 years to switch my DE license over for a German one. I have never driven here and probably never will, but my US (KS) license is up for renewal in early June and I wanted the DE one so I can legally drive in the US in the future when I visit. KS is a state with DL reciprocity and I didn’t have to do a thing but apply. However, I never count my chickens until they . Today I got the notice in the mail to pay the 36€ fee and I will promptly receive a DE license. Happy, and relieved, and happy.

I thought that US>D driving license change was doable during the first 6 months after getting here?
Good to know that it is longer than that.

[LeonG]

I thought that US>D driving license change was doable during the first 6 months after getting here?
Good to know that it is longer than that.

You can drive on it here for up to 6 months. You can still exchange it later as long as it is still valid.

[Nixon]

Our daughter (17 years old) was in South Carolina (Driver's License full reciprocity) and got her Learner's permit overthere.
When I asked in Führerscheinstelle/Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (KVR) about steps to get a full license in SC and exchange it for a German one they told me that she would have to be residing in South Carolina for 6 months before coming back to D in order to be eligible for this change. That was a lady at the window that called somebody in a back office to make sure that she is telling me the right stuff.

She might go back to SC, just get the DL and then try to exchange it some time later on.

[Franklan]

Our daughter (17 years old) was in South Carolina (Driver's License full reciprocity) and got her Learner's permit overthere.
When I asked in Führerscheinstelle/Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (KVR) about steps to get a full license in SC and exchange it for a German one they told me that she would have to be residing in South Carolina for 6 months before coming back to D in order to be eligible for this change. That was a lady at the window that called somebody in a back office to make sure that she is telling me the right stuff.

She might go back to SC, just get the DL and then try to exchange it some time later on.

And she must have documents supporting the claim that she lived there for more than 6 months.

[snowingagain]

and that could be tricky if you have a residency permit that expires after 6 months. They are (not unreasonably) not keen on people dodging taking the test here.

[bethannbitt]

and that could be tricky if you have a residency permit that expires after 6 months. They are (not unreasonably) not keen on people dodging taking the test here.

For many years German kids have been coming to the US for a 9-10 month high school stay, during which time they take drivers ed and get a US license. They then return to DE and avoid tests and big expenses. One such kid from Berlin stayed with us in Kansas 21 years ago and did just that.

[Franklan]

Our daughter (17 years old) was in South Carolina (Driver's License full reciprocity) and got her Learner's permit overthere.
When I asked in Führerscheinstelle/Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (KVR) about steps to get a full license in SC and exchange it for a German one they told me that she would have to be residing in South Carolina for 6 months before coming back to D in order to be eligible for this change. That was a lady at the window that called somebody in a back office to make sure that she is telling me the right stuff.

She might go back to SC, just get the DL and then try to exchange it some time later on.

Throw this into Deepl, and everything is answered.

ADAC link about US drivers license

Proof of residency is required, and it doesn't work when she is 17.

[bethannbitt]

Proof of residency is required, and it doesn't work when she is 17.

Yes. And the kid who lived with us in 2002-2003 and successfully pulled this off did in fact turn 18 just six weeks before returning to .

[LeonG]

Our daughter (17 years old) was in South Carolina (Driver's License full reciprocity) and got her Learner's permit overthere.
When I asked in Führerscheinstelle/Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (KVR) about steps to get a full license in SC and exchange it for a German one they told me that she would have to be residing in South Carolina for 6 months before coming back to D in order to be eligible for this change. That was a lady at the window that called somebody in a back office to make sure that she is telling me the right stuff.

She might go back to SC, just get the DL and then try to exchange it some time later on.

Throw this into Deepl, and everything is answered.

ADAC link about US drivers license

Proof of residency is required, and it doesn't work when she is 17.

The reason they have these rules is to discourage driver license tourism. People who were subject to an MPU in Germany for example were going to other EU countries, getting a license there and driving on it in Germany. That's why they require you to get a license where you live and in order to establish residency, they want 6 months.

ADAC states that the person must be 18 when they return to Germany but I saw some info on other sites that listed 18 only as a condition to exchange the license. They would still need to have 6 months residency in the US though.

[bethannbitt]

I was lazy and waited over 4 years to switch my DE license over for a German one. I have never driven here and probably never will, but my US (KS) license is up for renewal in early June and I wanted the DE one so I can legally drive in the US in the future when I visit. KS is a state with DL reciprocity and I didn’t have to do a thing but apply. However, I never count my chickens until they . Today I got the notice in the mail to pay the 36€ fee and I will promptly receive a DE license. Happy, and relieved, and happy.

I thought that US>D driving license change was doable during the first 6 months after getting here?
Good to know that it is longer than that.

I just surrendered my KS license today when I picked up my DE one. It looks so sweet with Baton Rouge on there.

[kaffeemitmilch]

I was lazy and waited over 4 years to switch my DE license over for a German one. I have never driven here and probably never will, but my US (KS) license is up for renewal in early June and I wanted the DE one so I can legally drive in the US in the future when I visit. KS is a state with DL reciprocity and I didn’t have to do a thing but apply. However, I never count my chickens until they . Today I got the notice in the mail to pay the 36€ fee and I will promptly receive a DE license. Happy, and relieved, and happy.

I thought that US>D driving license change was doable during the first 6 months after getting here?
Good to know that it is longer than that.

I just surrendered my KS license today when I picked up my DE one. It looks so sweet with Baton Rouge on there.

What's the Baton Rouge reference? Is there one in Kansas too?

If you check your DL status online in a couple of months or the next time you go there in person, you might see that it's still active, in which case you could just request a duplicate and have both. In my case, they just let me keep my CT DL because I could drive additional cars with it.

[bethannbitt]

I just surrendered my KS license today when I picked up my DE one. It looks so sweet with Baton Rouge on there.

What's the Baton Rouge reference? Is there one in Kansas too?

If you check your DL status online in a couple of months or the next time you go there in person, you might see that it's still active, in which case you could just request a duplicate and have both. In my case, they just let me keep my CT DL because I could drive additional cars with it.

Baton Rouge is the city I was born in. My KS license simply had my DOB.

Of course, my KS license could still be renewed. I once renewed it 6 months overdue! But I no longer reside in KS, which is a requirement for renewal. I can’t reside here and also reside there. Rather than providing a fake address of residency in KS, which is doable, I prefer to drive in the US using the German license. Unlike your case, my US license, and hence my DE one, doesn’t allow me to drive additional cars anyway.

What if I were driving a rental car in CO that I insured at a fake US address in KS, and I had an accident? Maybe the insurance company would refuse to pay. Those guys look for every excuse not to pay. I admit that I am highly risk averse. But, ok, I wanna sleep at night.

[kaffeemitmilch]

Baton Rouge is the city I was born in. My KS license simply had my DOB.

Of course, my KS license could still be renewed. I once renewed it 6 months overdue! But I no longer reside in KS, which is a requirement for renewal. I can’t reside here and also reside there. Rather than providing a fake address of residency in KS, which is doable, I prefer to drive in the US using the German license. Unlike your case, my US license, and hence my DE one, doesn’t allow me to drive additional cars anyway.

What if I were driving a rental car in CO that I insured at a fake US address in KS, and I had an accident? Maybe the insurance company would refuse to pay. Those guys look for every excuse not to pay. I admit that I am highly risk averse. But, ok, I wanna sleep at night.

Ah I get the Baton Rouge thing, now. Would be funny having it on a French license. "Ou est Baton Rouge? En Corse?"

Ok,well I didn't know you have no connection to KS any longer. No family in the US? You could also get the duplicate and then exchange it for one where you DO have family. I don't consider that having a fake address. My mom's address in the US is my home too. Insurance shouldn't be an issue. I have received damage costs this way even though I live in Germany. The US address is basically my permanent address, and I have ties to it including credit cards, bank accounts, etc.

The benefit of retaining the physical copy of the US license is that if/when you move back it'll just be easier than having to be in a state that exchanges a German licence. CA and NY don't exchange any foreign licenses, I don't think.

Anyway I was just telling you for your information. You don't need to. I've heard that being pulled over by police in the US is better with a weird foreign license as they often just let you go with a warning.

[bethannbitt]

Totally tied to KS with taxes, retirement income, committed friendships, and voter registration. But no family is there. Closest folks are nearby in CO. Your information is noteworthy and helpful, but yeah, my situation is different. I could just switch the DE license back in KS or CO in a future life if I had to. Both states have full reciprocity with DE. Never moving back to NY or CA. And although I don’t anticipate moving back at all, my motto is „never ever say never“. Life is set up to bounce back, just in case.