German · Führerschein
You ask how long you can drive on a Ukrainian licence and whether you need to exchange it: what to say in German
You ask how long you may drive with a Ukrainian licence and whether you must exchange it.
💡
How it's done. The rules on how long Ukrainian licences stay valid in Germany depend on your status and date of entry and change over time; ask your city's Führerscheinstelle what to bring: licence, passport, translation, biometric photo.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
Guten Tag, ich habe einen ukrainischen Führerschein. Wie lange darf ich damit fahren?
GOO-tayn tahk, eekh KHAH-beh IGH-nayn oo-kruh-EE-nee-shayn FYOO-rehr-shighn. Vee LAHN-geh dahrf eekh duh-MEET FAH-rayn?
Good day, I have a Ukrainian driving licence. How long may I drive with it?
Or say:Guten Tag, ich möchte meinen ukrainischen Führerschein umtauschen.
GOO-tayn tahk, eekh MYOKH-teh MIGH-nayn oo-kruh-EE-nee-shayn FYOO-rehr-shighn OOM-tow-shayn.
THEY SAY
Das hängt von Ihrem Aufenthaltsstatus ab. Haben Sie einen Aufenthaltstitel?Dahs khayngt fohn EE-rem OW-faynt-khuhltssh-tuh-toos ahp. KHAH-bayn zee IGH-nayn OW-faynt-khuhlts-tee-tel?
That depends on your residence status. Do you have a residence permit?
They might also say:
Das kommt darauf an. Wann sind Sie nach Deutschland gekommen, und welchen Aufenthalt haben Sie?
Dahs komt duh-ROWF ahn. Vahn zeent zee nahkh DOYCH-lahnd geh-KOH-mayn, oont VEL-khayn OW-faynt-khuhlt KHAH-bayn zee?
That depends. When did you come to Germany and what residence do you have?
2
YOU REPLY
Ja, ich habe einen Aufenthaltstitel nach Paragraph vierundzwanzig.
Yah, eekh KHAH-beh IGH-nayn OW-faynt-khuhlts-tee-tel nahkh puh-ruh-GRAHF FEE-roontts-vahn-tseekh.
Yes, I have a residence permit under section twenty-four.
THEY SAY
Das müssen wir genau prüfen. Bringen Sie bitte Ihren Führerschein, Ihren Pass und eine Übersetzung mit.Dahs MYOO-sayn veer geh-NOW PRYOO-fayn. BREEN-gayn zee BEE-teh EE-rayn FYOO-rehr-shighn, EE-rayn pahs oont IGH-neh yoo-behr-ZEH-tsoong meet.
We have to check that carefully. Please bring your driving licence, your passport and a translation.
3
YOU REPLY
Brauche ich auch ein Foto?
BROW-kheh eekh owkh ighn FOH-toh?
Do I need a photo as well?
THEY SAY
Ja, ein biometrisches Foto und die Meldebescheinigung.Yah, ighn bee-oh-MEH-tree-shes FOH-toh oont dee MEL-deh-beh-shigh-nee-goong.
Yes, a biometric photo and the registration certificate.
4
YOU FINISH
Danke. Dann komme ich mit allen Unterlagen wieder.
DAHN-keh. Dahn KOH-meh eekh meet AH-layn OON-tehr-luh-gayn VEE-duh.
Thanks. Then I'll come back with all the documents.
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “German for life in Germany”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
Guten
GOO-tayn
adjective
good (in greetings)
Tag
tahk
noun
day
habe
KHAH-beh
verb
I have
ukrainischen
oo-kruh-EE-nee-shayn
adjective
Ukrainian
Führerschein
FYOO-rehr-shighn
noun
driving licence
Wie
Vee
adverb
how
44 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
KYOH-nayn zee dahs BEE-teh vee-dehr-KHOH-layn?
Can you repeat that, please?
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
KYOH-nayn zee BEE-teh LAHNG-zuh-muh SHPREH-khayn?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Können Sie das bitte aufschreiben?
KYOH-nayn zee dahs BEE-teh OWFSH-righ-bayn?
Can you write it down, please?
Was bedeutet das?
Vahs beh-DOY-tet dahs?
What does this mean?
Similar situations
Found a mistake? Write to us and we will fix it. This is language help, not medical or legal advice.Report