UP TO ONE YEAR IN JAIL
UP TO 25,000 € FINES
AND PAYING ACCIDENT COSTS OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET
...are in fact the consequences of driving without a valid driver's license!!!
Therefore we would like to draw your attention to the necessity of getting a German driver's license (Führerschein).
If you are a citizen of the EU-EEA, your can freely drive in Germany with your national driver's license.
If you're a national from outside the EU-EEA, you can drive in Germany with your national driving license for a period up to six months (with a possible extension of six additional months if your stay does not exceed one year in total).
If you stay longer than one year and are not from an EU-EEA country you have to get a German driving license if you want to drive a car. Depending on your country of origin, the procedure of getting a new driver's license can be very easy or take up some time. Check out the attached list whether you can exchange your national driver's license for a German driver's license.
The International Office of the MPI-CBG supports you with the exchange and will accompany Expats to the local driving license office on a regular basis.
If you can exchange your license, you must go to the local driving license office and provide the following documents:
- valid ID
- an original proof of residence permit in Germany plus a photocopy
- a passport-sized photo
- your original national driver's license plus a photocopy
- an official certified translation of your national license and photocopy
- confirmation from the Office for Foreigners of the duration of residency in Germany
Unfortunately the German license will not be issued until near the very end of the six months.
In case you are not from one of the privileged countries and want to get the German license you'll need to take written and practical exams, and maybe some driving lessons - depending on your existing driving skills, too. Fortunately, you can do most of it in English. Check with the International Office to get more advice on that.
listofstates.pdf
Führerscheinbehörde Dresden – Official site of Driving License Office in Dresden
Car Rentals
You will find several well-known car rental firms at the Dresden airport. You can order your dream car and pick up the keys from their desks on the arrival level in the terminal. Rental cars are collected and returned on level 0 of the multi-story car park.
It is always worth it to compare offers, e.g. at www.billiger-mietwagen.de.
Also, there are many car rental firms at Dresden Central Railway station (Hauptbahnhof, as well as Bahnhof Neustadt), e.g.
Hertz Autovermietung GmbH
Am Hauptbahnhof
Dresden 01069
Tel: 0351 452630
Furthermore there are car rental firms around the MPI-CBG or around the Technische Universität Dresden, e.g.
Avis Autovermietung Dresden Striesen
Borsbergstraße 48
01309 Dresden
Tel: 0351 866800
Sixt Autovermietung Dresden Zentrum
St.Petersburger Straße 9
01069 Dresden
Tel: 0180 6 252525
Autovermietung Jahnel GmbH
Hamburger Strasse 17
01067 Dresden
Tel: 0351 833 8880
Buchbinder
Dresden Reicker Str.
Reicker Str. 44
01219 Dresden
Tel: 0351-4940597
E-Mail: info.dresdenbuchbinder.de
Car-sharing is increasingly popular in Dresden. Members pay only for the length of use of the car—either with slightly cheaper pre-purchased time or a standard rate—and once the car is parked, members can simply walk away. Insurance, fuel, and parking are all taken care of.
e.g.
TeilAuto
Schützengasse 16
01067 Dresden
Tel: 0345 44 500-220
or