Exchange of an old driving licence for a new driving licence

Teaser

If the validity of your driving licence has expired, you must apply for a new licence.

  • Service description

    Driving licences issued from 19.01.2013 are limited to 15 years. Once the validity of the driving licence has expired, you must apply for a new driving licence, unless you renounce your driving licence.

    A driving licence issued before 19.01.2013 must be exchanged for a current driving licence model by the date specified in the following information, unless you renounce your driving licence:

    Driving licences issued up to and including 31 December 1998:

    Year of birth of the licence holder - Date by which the licence must be exchanged

    • Before 1953 - 19 January 2033
    • 1953 to 1958 - 19 January 2022
    • 1959 to 1964 - 19 January 2023
    • 1965 to 1970 - 19 January 2024
    • 1971 or later - 19 January 2025

    Driving licences issued from 1 January 1999*:

    Year of issue - date by which the driving licence must be exchanged

    • 1999 to 2001 - 19 January 2026
    • 2002 to 2004 - 19 January 2027
    • 2005 to 2007 - 19 January 2028
    • 2008 - 19 January 2029
    • 2009 - 19 January 2030
    • 2010 - 19 January 2031
    • 2011 - 19 January 2032
    • 2012 until 18 January 2013 - 19 January 2033

    (*Licence holders born before 1953 must exchange their licence by 19 January 2033, regardless of the year of issue of the licence)

    However, the time limit only affects the driving licence document, not the underlying driving licence. A medical examination or other checks are not associated with the document exchange.

    The rights documented in the driving licence remain valid even if the document is exchanged. Which driving licence categories are assigned in detail when a driving licence is exchanged is governed by Annex 3 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV).

  • Procedure

    Contact the driving licence authority responsible for you (usually the driving licence authority in the place where you have your main residence.

  • Responsible office

    The responsibility lies with the driving licence authority.

  • Which documents are required?

    • Official proof of place and date of birth (e.g. identity card or passport)
    • current registration certificate, if applicable
    • Current photograph in accordance with the PassV (size 45 x 35 mm, portrait format, front view) Information and examples can be found in the photo sample board (Bundesdruckerei)
    • Previous driving licence

  • What fees are incurred?

    The fee is based on the scale of fees for road traffic measures (GebOSt).

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    • Date of birth before 1953 - exchange until 19 January 2033
    • Date of birth 1953 to 1958 - exchange until 19 January 2022
    • Date of birth 1959 to 1964 - exchange until 19 January 2023
    • Date of birth 1965 to 1970 - exchange until 19 January 2024
    • Date of birth 1971 or later - exchange until 19 January 2025

    Driving licence issued between 1999 and 2001 - exchange until 19 January 2026

    • Exhibition 2002 to 2004 - Exchange until 19 January 2027
    • Exhibition 2005 to 2007 - Exchange until 19 January 2028
    • Exhibition 2008 - Exchange until 19 January 2029
    • Exhibition 2009 - Exchange until 19 January 2030
    • Exhibition 2010 - Exchange until 19 January 2031
    • Exhibition 2011 - Exchange until 19 January 2032
    • Exhibition 2012 until 18 January 2013 - Exchange until 19 January 2033

  • Processing time

    • depending on the capacity utilisation of the relevant driving licence authority

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    • Appeal (further information on how to lodge an appeal can be found in the notification of your application)
    • Action before the administrative court

  • Applications / Forms

    • Forms available: Yes
    • Written form required: Yes
    • Informal application possible: No
    • Personal appearance required: Yes
    • Online services available: Yes

  • What else should I know?

  • Short text

    • Driving licence: Exchange of an old licence
    • Driving licences issued from 19 January 2013 are limited to 15 years.
    • If the validity has expired, a new driving licence must be applied for.
    • Driving licences issued before 19.01.2013 must be exchanged for a current driving licence model by a certain deadline.
    • The competent driving licence authority (usually that of the place of residence) is responsible

  • Typing

    3

  • Library entry status

    6

Responsible departments