Cancellation of the simplified exchange of Ukrainian driver’s licenses in Germany: what awaits drivers
The issue of recognition of Ukrainian driver’s licenses in Germany has long remained the subject of separate regulation both within the framework of European solidarity and in the context of the mass arrival of Ukrainians after the start of a full-scale war. One of the areas that the German government actively worked on was the development of a mechanism for automatic replacement of Ukrainian driver’s licenses, in particular for professional drivers of categories C, CE, D, DE. However, at the beginning of April 2025, the situation changed dramatically.
Official revocation of the resolution
On April 1, 2025, the German Federal Government officially revoked the regulation (Verordnung), which provided for exceptions for Ukrainians with professional driving qualifications. It was intended to allow the automatic exchange of Ukrainian rights for German ones without going through the full confirmation procedure that third-country nationals are usually required to go through.
The decree was sent for consideration to the Bundesrat (Federal Council – the representation of the states) as early as May 2024, but its implementation depended on the adoption of the main law – the Berufskraftfahrerqualifikationsgesetz (Law on Professional Qualifications of Drivers). This law was supposed to change the current Regulation on the training of professional drivers in Germany (Berufskraftfahrerqualifikationsverordnung) and actually establish a preferential procedure for Ukrainian drivers.
However, early elections to the Bundestag were held in Germany on February 23, 2025, and as a result, the draft law was not considered in its entirety. According to the current parliamentary practice – the principle of Diskontinuität – all legislative initiatives that have not been finally adopted before the end of the convocation are considered annulled. Therefore, the draft law has lost its validity, and its subsidiary resolution no longer has legal meaning – that is why it was withdrawn.
What does this mean for Ukrainian drivers
The consequence of the revocation of the resolution was the complete cancellation of any exceptions for Ukrainians. From now on, they are again considered as third-country nationals, and in order to obtain a German driver’s license – in particular for professional activities – it is necessary to go through the entire procedure of recognition of qualifications.
What exactly has changed:
- The possibility of automatic exchange has been canceled: the decree has been suspended, and the norms that were supposed to simplify the process for Ukrainians have lost their force.
- Return to the standard procedure: Ukrainian drivers must confirm their rights in the manner provided for citizens of third countries.
- You need to contact the local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde, which is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses.
- The mandatory package of documents includes: Ukrainian driver’s license, certified translation, medical certificate, confirmation of experience (work experience).
- Additional requirements are possible: passing a psychophysiological test, theoretical and practical exams, or even a full-fledged training course.
- The cost of the procedure can range from 500 to 1,500 euros, depending on the country where the application is made and the requirements for retraining.
What’s next
The cancellation of the simplified mechanism is a blow for a large part of Ukrainian citizens who work or planned to work in the field of cargo or passenger transportation in Germany. Many of them already had the experience of working as a driver in Ukraine, but now they will be forced to retake training and exams, and in some cases, courses in the German language.
Formally, the German government has not abandoned the idea of supporting Ukrainians, but the new legitimization of any simplified mechanism is possible only after the formation of a new composition of the Bundestag and the re-introduction of the relevant draft law. Until then, there will be no exceptions or special procedures for Ukrainian drivers.
Thus, all Ukrainians with categories C, CE, D, DE, who wish to work in Germany as drivers, should focus on the full procedure of confirmation of professional qualifications, with the corresponding expenditure of time, money and effort.
