Exchanging a Turkish Driving Licence in Germany and Code 95 for Truck Drivers

OCTOBER 14, 2026 · 5 MIN READ · PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS

Hamza Çakın · IR - Law / Consultant

How long is a Turkish licence valid in Germany?

After registering your main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) in Germany, you can keep driving on your Turkish licence for six more months. According to Berlin’s licensing authority (LABO), this period cannot be extended. The only exception is if it is clear from the start that you will stay in Germany for less than 12 months.

Turkey is not on the exam-free exchange list

Countries whose licences can be exchanged without, or with partial, exams are listed in Annex 11 of the Driving Licence Regulation (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung). Turkey is not on that list. So you need to pass a theory and a practical test for every class you want to exchange. Driving lessons are not mandatory, but you need to go through a driving school for the practical test. For heavy goods classes (C, CE), medical requirements apply as well.

What is Code 95?

A licence alone is not enough to drive professionally. Under EU Directive 2022/2561, drivers carrying goods commercially in the EU need an initial qualification (Grundqualifikation) or accelerated initial qualification. It is recorded on the licence with the code “95” and kept valid through regular periodic training (35 hours every five years). Professional certificates obtained in Turkey do not replace it in the EU.

Work permit: section 24a of the Employment Ordinance

There is a dedicated rule for professional drivers from non-EU countries. According to Make it in Germany:

• If you already hold an EU licence and qualification: the Federal Employment Agency only checks working conditions; there is no priority check (Vorrangprüfung).
• If you do not yet: the employer can first hire you in another role, such as the warehouse or workshop, and arrange your German licence and qualification training. The licence, qualification and required German must be achievable within 15 months.
• Aged 45 and over: in 2026 you need a gross annual salary of at least €55,770 or adequate pension provision. Our forecast for 2027 is around €58,410.

Section 24a sets no general language certificate requirement, but you are expected to have enough German to pass the training and exams. Basic German preparation makes things easier in any case.

The right order

1. Find an employer in Germany and finalise the employment contract.
2. Federal Employment Agency approval and visa application.
3. Register your residence after arriving in Germany.
4. Exchange your licence within six months: application, theory and practical test.
5. Initial qualification training and Code 95.
6. Start working as a professional driver.

Our assessment

As long as Europe is short of truck drivers, section 24a will remain one of the most accessible routes for experienced drivers. For applicants aged 45 and over, though, the higher 2027 salary threshold is a serious hurdle. If you are in this group, clarify early whether you can document your pension provision.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take the theory test in Turkish?
Yes. The theory driving test in Germany is offered in many languages, including Turkish.

What happens if I do not exchange it within six months?
Your Turkish licence stops being valid in Germany and you would be driving without a licence. Apply right after you arrive.

Does my Turkish SRC certificate replace Code 95?
No. Code 95 requires the initial qualification under EU rules.

You can see the full path from employer matching to Code 95 on our professional drivers page, or plan it with us in a free consultation.

Last updated: October 2026 · Sources: Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, Anlage 11 · Beschäftigungsverordnung § 24a · Make it in Germany · LABO Berlin

This article is for general information and is not legal advice; the 2027 salary threshold is not an official announcement but our calculation.