The short answer
The theory test is offered in twelve languages: German, English, French, Greek, Italian, Croatian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. The theory classes themselves are taught in German. The practical test also takes place in German.
For a lot of people this question decides whether they go for a licence at all — and it is frequently answered wrongly. Having to sit the test in German is a misunderstanding.
The twelve languages
- German, English, French
- Greek, Italian, Croatian
- Polish, Portuguese, Romanian
- Russian, Spanish, Turkish
You choose the language when you are entered for the test. The questions are the same ones, just translated — and the technical vocabulary in the test language is sometimes less familiar than the German, if you sat the classes in German.
If your language is not there
Then English is the workable route for most people. In the office we speak German, English, Turkish and Kurdish — so advice, explanations and the paperwork happen in one of those four, even if you sit the test in another.
Classes stay in German
The theory classes are taught in German. If something is left unclear, ask — we will go through it again afterwards in Turkish, Kurdish or English.
And the practical test?
That runs in German. In practice it is less dramatic than it sounds: the vocabulary is a handful of instructions — turn, straight on, stop, turn around — and you go through them hundreds of times in your lessons anyway. If you do not understand an instruction, you ask; that is allowed and does not count as a mistake.
If you already hold a foreign licence and only want it converted, whether a test is needed at all depends on the country that issued it.