Car and driving licence

Once you have registered in Stuttgart you can drive with your foreign driving licence for a further 6 months. You then need a domestic driving licence. You may still need to take tests or provide specific evidence.

Holders of a valid driving licence from an EU member state or another signatory state of the EEA Treaty do not require a domestic driving licence, even if they live in Germany. However, we recommend exchanging your licence for various reasons. You can also arrange to have a European driving licence issued.

You can arrange for your licence to be issued by the  Vehicle Registration Office (opens in a new tab).

For more information check  driving licence (opens in a new tab)

If you plan to stay in Germany for longer than six months, you must re-register your car with the vehicle registration office as soon as possible. Also note the respective  customs regulations (opens in a new tab) for your private vehicle that you are bringing into Germany from a non-EU country.

There are  exceptions (opens in a new tab) to the six-month period for students and persons on official business from non-EU member states. They can use their motor vehicle privately until the end of their temporary stay here. The same applies to commuters (residence in non-EU member states and workplace in the EU).

Stuttgart is an environmental zone. This means that your car needs an environmental badge. 

Only vehicles in certain emission categories are allowed to drive in the Stuttgart area. This should reduce the excessive fine particulate and nitrogen dioxide levels in the air. This is implemented in Germany in so-called environmental zones. 

You can purchase one directly  online (opens in a new tab) or alternatively buy it in person at the  Vehicle Registration Office (opens in a new tab) or  Citizens' Service Centres (opens in a new tab). The badges are also available from private organisations and garages (costs may vary and enquiries should be made there). This is also for vehicles that are not registered in Stuttgart. For vehicles with foreign license plates, you can request an environmental badge in advance by mail.

You need a resident parking permit in certain areas close to the centre, if you don't have any private parking space for your car.

You can purchase a resident parking permit at the Citizen's Offices or online. Online sale is not possible with foreign license plate.

 More information about resident parking permit (opens in a new tab)(only in german)