Reus finally passes driving test after getting caught with fake Dutch license

Berlin - Germany winger Marco Reus has finally passed his driver's test after being fined €540,000 in 2014 when it emerged he had been operating a vehicle for years without a licence.

The 27-year-old sat out Euro 2016 with a groin injury as Germany lost to France in the semi-finals, but used his time in the off-season to swot up on his skills behind the wheel and prepare for the theory test.

"Yes, it's true that I've passed my driving test. I am pleased that this chapter is now closed," the Borussia Dortmund star told German daily Bild.

Reus, who has won 29 caps for Germany, passed the theory and practical parts of the test on Monday and picked up his brand-new licence on the way to training on Tuesday.

Reus hit the headlines in November 2014 when it emerged he had been driving for years without a valid licence.

Due to his high salary, he was fined substantially by the district court in Dortmund after he had submitted a fake Dutch driving licence when routinely stopped by police.

"I had unfortunately decided to take this path (driving without a licence) and to this day I can't even understand myself why I did that," he said in 2014, after also missing the last World Cup with injury.

Having sat out Dortmund's 2-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich in the DFL-Supercup on Sunday, Reus is expected to return to training soon, but is set to miss the team's opening Bundesliga match at home to 1. FSV Mainz on Aug. 27.

Dortmund is back in the Champions League this season after a year's absence as a reward for finishing second to Bayern in the Bundesliga last season.