Guide and tips
Exchange driving licence
TÜV NORD supports you in the smooth transition to your new, EU-compliant driving licence document. Find out which deadlines apply, which documents are required and how to proceed step by step.
Guide and tips
TÜV NORD supports you in the smooth transition to your new, EU-compliant driving licence document. Find out which deadlines apply, which documents are required and how to proceed step by step.
Regardless of whether you are in possession of a grey, pink, GDR or cheque card driving licence: By 19 January 2033, any driving licence issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged for the new EU driving licence. The new EU driving licence is time-limited, i.e. the passport photo and personal data are regularly updated. The exchange takes place in stages. You can find out how long the old, grey driving licence is still valid and when you have to exchange your driving licence here.
All driving licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged if they are not yet time-limited. The obligation to exchange applies to all driving licence categories, i.e. including motorbike licences. Driving licences issued after 19 January 2013 are no longer valid indefinitely, but only for 15 years - after which they must also be renewed.
| Year of birth of the licence holder | Deadline for driving licence exchange |
| before 1953 | 19 January 2033 |
| 1953 - 1958 | 19 July 2022 |
| 1959 - 1964 | 19 January 2023 |
| 1965 - 1970 | 19 January 2024 |
| 1971 or later | 19 January 2025 |
| Year of issue | Date by which the driving licence must be exchanged |
| 1999 - 2001 | 19 January 2026 |
| 2002 - 2004 | 19 January 2027 |
| 2005 - 2007 | 19 January 2028 |
| 2008 | 19 January 2029 |
| 2009 | 19 January 2030 |
| 2010 | 19 January 2031 |
| 2011 | 19 January 2032 |
| 2012 - 18.1.2013 | 19 January 2033 |
You will need the following documents to exchange your driving licence:
If the old paper driving licence was not issued by the authority of your current place of residence, you will need a so-called index card copy from the original issuing authority. You can apply for this by post, telephone or online and have it sent to the current driving licence office.
* According to § 1 of the "Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr (GebOSt)", fees must be charged for official acts. In principle, a fee of 24.30 euros is charged in accordance with section 202.5 of the GebOSt, as well as a fee of 1.00 euro in accordance with section 126.2 of the GebOSt.
There may be additional costs of 5.10 euros for the direct dispatch of the new driving licence by the Bundesdruckerei.
The new EU driving licences are valid for 15 years and must then be renewed in the same way as an identity card or passport. Driving licences issued from 19 January 2013 are already limited to 15 years. The time limit is intended to make forgery more difficult, as the passport photo and personal data are regularly updated.
According to EU Directive 2006/126/EC (3rd Driving Licence Directive), all driving licences are to be standardised and forgery-proof. Driving licences issued before 19 January 2013 must therefore be exchanged for a new EU driving licence.
All driving licences that were issued before 19 January 2013 - whether "grey rag", pink paper driving licences or early cheque card driving licences - must be exchanged for the new, forgery-proof EU card driving licence by 19 January 2033 at the latest.
The deadline is staggered - depending on the year of birth (for old driving licences up to 1998) or the year of issue (for card driving licences from 1999):
For paper driving licences (until 31 December 1998) - the year of birth is decisive:
For driving licences (from 1 January 1999 to 18 January 2013) - the year of issue is decisive:
Yes, an earlier exchange is possible at any time and often even makes sense. This allows you to be flexible, have an up-to-date document and avoid any application backlogs when the deadlines expire.
Please note, however, that the new EU driving licence is only valid for 15 years and must then be applied for again - similar to an ID card or passport.
No - you do not have to repeat the theoretical or practical driving test. The exchange is a purely administrative measure that will retain your existing driving licence. No medical examinations or other tests are required.
As a rule, the application must be submitted to the relevant driving licence authority or driving licence office in your current place of residence - often located in the Citizens' Registration Office or Road Traffic Office. It is advisable to make an appointment online in good time.
Required documents:
Costs (typical guide value):
The new EU driving licence is valid for 15 years - similar to an identity card or passport; after that, a new application is required. This validity period already applies to driving licences issued from 19 January 2013.
Your old driving licence document loses its validity after the respective deadline, even if your driving licence formally exists; you may no longer use the old document.
If you are checked, you can expect a warning fine of around €10. A fine is not usually imposed - the driving licence remains valid.
In addition, there may be problems in border traffic or when travelling internationally with a driving licence that has not been exchanged.