Success at the Berlin drivers licence office!

Recently we failed in our attempt to get a drivers licence conversion at the local Bürgeramt (which you can read about in a previous blog post here).

At that Bürgeramt appointment we had been told a different story, that our Australian drivers licences must be translated into German before they would complete the process. We hadn't been told that when we had enquired before and later found out that this translation at the ADAC could cost around 50 euros each. That is on top of the 42.60 Euros we would be required to pay as an administration fee at the Bürgeramt. We had also been told at the Bürgeramt that we are not allowed to retain our Australian drivers licence once the conversion takes place. It's law they said.

When we got home from that appointment we were so annoyed and contacted the head drivers licence office directly by email, the Führerscheinstelle. We had an email the next day confirming that the translation is not required and also confirming what we needed to bring (which is what we already had for the Bürgeramt); which is;

• Passport
• Passport photo
• Original drivers licence
• Copy of drivers licence
• Eye test
• The fee of 35 Euros (Cheaper than the Bürgeramt!)

We made appointments with this office directly, the earliest being today at 2pm.

So today we caught the U-Bahn, switched in Kreuzberg Hallesches Tor and the one stop up to Kochstrasse.

Kochstrasse is the station you would normally go to if wanting to visit Checkpoint Charlie. Walking the opposite direction down Freidrichstrasse and literally around the corner at Puttkamerstrasse 16 - 18 is the  Führerscheinstelle.

Inside we went to the waiting room on the first floor and waited for our numbers to come up. This place is much like the Bürgeramt waiting room and with the same number calling TV system thing.

At 2pm sharp our number came up and we went into office '10' to be served by a friendly young girl. When asked if she spoke English, she said (in German) that she spoke a little. She didn't speak to us in English during the whole appointment though.

We actually had two appointments (one at 2:15 as well) but this girl let us sit in together and processed us one after the other.

All we had to do was sit at the desk as she asked for each of the required items one by one - which DID NOT include the translation! We signed a paper, she copied our Australian licences and GAVE THEM BACK to us! We looked at each other, and nonchalantly put them away as quick as possible. Telepathically we spoke to each other 'Sweet! she gave them back!. Stuff you incorrect Bürgeramt drones.'

Once she had done both of our processing, she gave us a little plastic card. This was required to be taken to the next room to an ATM type thing to pay our 2 x 35 Euro fee. Payment at the machine was quick and the thing kept the card and gave back two tickets and two receipts. Giving her the tickets, she gave us a piece of paper each which was confirmation that the process was all complete. She then said that our new German licenses would be sent to us at home in 6 to 8 weeks.

This all took 15 minutes for both of us.

So, here's the tip, make sure you know what to bring, bypass the frustrating Bürgeramt and go straight to the Führerscheinstelle (with an appointment).

Success!