The exchange of the driver's license: the most important information!

Thomas Wachsmuth 25 April 2023 Test sites, laws, offenses, information

Reading time 6 Min.

Stands for about 43 million Germans Driving license exchange to ensure more consistency and security against counterfeiting. By 2033, all driver's licenses issued before 2013 will have to be exchanged. The gradual change is intended to improve efficiency. We have summarized information about when and how the driver's license exchange takes place in the following article.

Why the driver's license exchange?

According to Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, EU member states undertake to ensure that all citizens' driving licenses comply with EU regulations. This is to ensure greater uniformity and security against counterfeiting. In addition, the driving licenses are recorded in a database to prevent misuse. Anyone who obtained their driver's license after 2013 already has a so-called EU driving license. However, the previously issued driving authorizations must be up to the 19.01.2033 be exchanged. In Germany this takes place Exchange gradually according to the year of birth or from 1999 according to the year in which the driving license was issued.

Deadlines for the driver's license exchange!

Depending on whether the outdated document is a paper driver's license , or credit card driving licence different deadlines apply. In order to ensure a high level of efficiency and clarity, the exchange takes place in various stages, starting with the paper driving entitlements. The aim is to complete the central driving license register as far as possible by 2025. Below is a tabular overview of the deadlines!

Paper driving licenses (date of issue up to 31.12.1998)

Year of birth of the driver	Exchange period*
Before 1953	19.01.2033
1953 – 1958	19.01.2022
1959 – 1964	19.01.2023
1965 – 1970	19.01.2024
from 1971	19.01.2025

Credit card driving licenses (date 01.01/1999/18.01 – 2013/XNUMX/XNUMX)

Driving license year of issue	Exchange period*
1999 – 2001	19.01.2026
2002 – 2004	19.01.2027
2005 – 2007	19.01.2028
2008	19.01.2029
2009	19.01.2030
2010	19.01.2031
2011	19.01.2032
2012 – 18.01.2013	19.01.2033

* In both cases, the date refers to the day on which the driver's license must be exchanged.
* If the old driver's license has been invalidated, it can be taken home.

Is an early driver's license exchange possible before the specified date?

Citizens are free to exchange their driving license before the scheduled date. However, it is advisable not to do this too early to avoid undermining the purpose of the phased plan.

Is a health check required to exchange a driver's license?

In general, no health examination is necessary for the driver's license exchange. However, if particular abnormalities are found when requesting the new document, the registration authority can order a check of the driver's fitness to drive.

Where can I apply for a driver's license exchange?

To renew your driver's license, you should contact the responsible registration authority or driver's license office in your place of residence. A separate appointment is usually not necessary for this; a visit during regular opening hours should suffice.

Driving with an expired license!

Even if the expiry date only affects the driver's license document and not the driving license, the exchange is possible mandatory. Anyone who does not comply with the specified exchange period and drives with an invalid driver's license commits an administrative offense and must expect a warning of around €10.

This is how the driver's license exchange works

You do not need to take a health check or any other test of fitness to drive to apply for the new driver's license. You can apply for the new driver's license at the relevant registration authority in your place of residence. Whether you will be informed personally that your driver's license exchange is pending depends on the local authority. But it is better not to rely on it.

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Required documents for driving license exchange

the old driver's license
valid identification document (identity card / passport)
recent biometric photo
Index card copy (only for paper driving licenses)

The transcript of records is required for driver's licenses issued before 1999 if the old driver's license was not issued in your current place of residence. The application for the copy of the index card is made to the authority that issued the old driver's license and can be done by telephone, in writing or digitally. In this case, the proof will be sent directly from the authority to the new registration office.

cost and processing time

The fees for exchanging a driver's license are uniform nationwide and amount to around €25. Processing time usually varies between 4 and 6 weeks. Some registration authorities offer an express service where the new driver's license can be picked up after just 3 working days.

Validity period of the new driver's license

The EU driving license loses its validity after 15 years and must be applied for again. In this case, no additional tests or health checks are required either. It is important to note that only the driver's license document becomes invalid, while the driver's license itself remains of course. However, driving with an expired license is considered a misdemeanor. The regular exchange serves to increase protection against counterfeiting and to update personal data and the photo. The expiration date is noted on the back of the driver's license.

Exchange of driving license class 3 in class B

Since the introduction of the EU driving license, the former driving license class 3 has been replaced by driving license class B. With the new class you can only tow trailers up to 750 kg. If the trailer is heavier, this is only permitted if the permissible total weight of trailer and vehicle does not exceed the limit of 3,5 tons. However, if you are used to a higher total weight due to the old driving license class 3, you don't have to worry. Thanks to the grandfathering regulation, holders of the old driving license category can continue to drive vehicles with a total weight of up to 7,5 tons.

Exchange of driver's license when residing abroad

Germans who live abroad and still drive a vehicle in Germany must also exchange their driving licence. For citizens residing in an EU or EEA country, the competent registration authority at the place of residence is responsible and can offer appropriate advice. However, the procedure is different if you live in a non-EU or non-EEA country. In this case, the following procedure applies:

The applicant contacts the responsible German driving license or registration authority.
The authority sends the applicant all the necessary documents for the driver's license exchange.
The completed documents along with a current biometric photo are sent to the authority.
The newly issued driver's license is sent to the diplomatic mission.
The mission abroad will check the identity of the driver's license holder and hand over the driver's license if there are no concerns. If you suspect that you are not fit to drive, you must inform the driving license authority. The representation abroad will confiscate the old driving license and send it to the issuing authority in Germany.

In principle, it is advisable to also obtain information on the regulations that apply there from the driving license authority in your own place of residence.

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