🪪 Driving licence: exchange, EU licence and renewal
In brief
Driving licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged for the new EU driving licence. For paper licences the deadlines depend on the year of birth, for card licences on the year of issue.
Driving licences from 19 January 2013 are valid for 15 years. According to the Federal Government, you do not need a new driving test or a medical examination to renew.
Step by step
- Check the year of issueFor a card licence: field 4a. For a paper licence: your year of birth.
- Look up the deadlineThe table is available from the Federal Government and ADAC.
- DocumentsID card or passport, biometric photo, old driving licence.
- Appointment at the authorityThe local driving licence office issues the new one (fee about €25 according to the Federal Government).
Deadlines
- According to the Federal Government, anyone who does not exchange in time risks a warning fine of €10.
- Anlage 8e FeV is decisive. If in doubt, ask your driving licence office.
- Non-EU driving licence: after taking up residence, the entitlement applies for six months (§ 29 FeV).
- Conversion of foreign driving licences has exceptions, for example if you already lived here when it was issued.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Time limit (§ 24a FeV)
Driving licences issued from 19 January 2013 are valid for a limited period of 15 years. Older ones must be exchanged under Anlage 8e. After the deadline the driving licence loses its validity. Card driving licences from 1999 can subsequently be given a time limit by a validity sticker (valid only in Germany).
Table (Anlage 8e FeV)
Paper driving licences by year of birth: 1953 to 1958 until 19 July 2022; 1959 to 1964 until 19 January 2023; 1965 to 1970 until 19 January 2024; 1971 or later until 19 January 2025; before 1953 until 19 January 2033. Card driving licences by year of issue: 1999 to 2001 until 19 January 2026 (already expired: validity is lost under § 24a Abs. 2 FeV, exchange urgent); 2002 to 2004 until 19 January 2027; 2005 to 2007 until 19 January 2028; 2008 until 19 January 2029; 2009 until 19 January 2030; 2010 until 19 January 2031; 2011 until 19 January 2032; 2012 to 18 January 2013 until 19 January 2033.
EU/EEA driving licence (§§ 28, 30 FeV)
Holders of valid EU or EEA driving licences may drive with their ordinary residence in Germany. Exceptions: learner licence, residence already at the time of acquisition (except students and pupils with a stay of at least six months), withdrawal or driving ban in Germany. On conversion to a German driving licence, the foreign one is exchanged against surrender; the date of issue and country of origin are noted (§ 30 FeV).
Non-EU (§ 29 FeV)
With residence in Germany, the entitlement continues for six months; on application it is extended by a further six months if the stay lasts at most 12 months. Proof (driving licence, if necessary a certified translation) is required.
Digital driving licence (§ 2d StVG)
The digital driving licence is provided via the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt and is intended for card driving licences issued from 1 January 1999. It removes the obligation to carry the card; the card remains valid. The launch is later than 1 July 2026 (targeted for end of 2026, not confirmed).
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