Exchanging an Old Driver's License for a New One
Service description
Driver’s licenses issued on or after January 19, 2013, are valid for 15 years. If your driver’s license has expired, you must apply for a new one, unless you choose to give up your driving privileges.
A driver's license issued before January 19, 2013, must—unless you choose to surrender your license—be exchanged for a current driver's license by the date determined based on the following information:
Driver's licenses issued on or before December 31, 1998:
Year of birth of the driver's license holder - Date by which the driver's license must be renewed
- Before 1953 – January 19, 2033
- 1953 to 1958 – January 19, 2022
- 1959–1964 – January 19, 2023
- 1965 to 1970 – January 19, 2024
- 1971 or later – January 19, 2025
Driver's licenses issued on or after January 1, 1999*:
Year of issuance - Date by which the driver's license must be renewed
- 1999 to 2001 - January 19, 2026
- 2002 to 2004 - January 19, 2027
- 2005 to 2007 - January 19, 2028
- 2008 - January 19, 2029
- 2009 - January 19, 2030
- 2010 - January 19, 2031
- 2011 - January 19, 2032
- 2012 through January 18, 2013 – January 19, 2033
(*Drivers born before 1953 must exchange their driver's license by January 19, 2033, regardless of the license's year of issuance)
However, the time limit applies only to the driver’s license document itself, not to the underlying driving privilege. The replacement of the document does not require a medical examination or any other type of review.
The rights documented on the driver’s license remain valid even if the license is replaced. The specific driver’s license classes assigned upon replacement are governed by Annex 3 of the Driver’s License Regulation (FeV).
Special information for the Fulda districtIn accordance with Annex 8e of the German Driver's License Regulation (FeV), all driver's licenses must be replaced.
Please Note
: Drivers born before 1953 must exchange their driver's license by January 19, 2033, regardless of the license's year of issuance.Procedure
Contact the driver's license office with jurisdiction over you (usually the driver's license office in the town where you have your primary residence).
Competent Authority
The driver's license authority is responsible for this matter.
What documents are required?
Special information for the Fulda district- A recent biometric photo (taken within the last 6 months)
- A valid ID card, a valid passport with a current certificate of residence (no older than 3 months), or, for foreign documents, a valid passport with a residence permit
- Current Driver's License
What fees apply?
The fee is determined in accordance with the Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt).
What deadlines do I have to observe?
- Date of birth before 1953 – Exchange by January 19, 2033
- Date of birth: 1953 through 1958 – Exchange deadline: January 19, 2022
- Date of birth: 1959 through 1964 – Exchange deadline: January 19, 2023
- Date of birth: 1965 through 1970 – Exchange deadline: January 19, 2024
- Date of birth in 1971 or later – Exchange by January 19, 2025
Driver's Licenses Issued from 1999 to 2001 – Must Be Renewed by January 19, 2026
- Issued 2002–2004 – Redeemable through January 19, 2027
- Issued 2005–2007 – Redeemable through January 19, 2028
- 2008 Exhibition – Redeemable through January 19, 2029
- 2009 Exhibition – Redeemable through January 19, 2030
- 2010 Issue – Redeemable through January 19, 2031
- 2011 Issue – Redeemable through January 19, 2032
- Issued from 2012 through January 18, 2013 – Redeemable through January 19, 2033
Processing time
- depending on the workload of the relevant driver's license authority
Legal basis
- § 24a of the Driver's License Regulation (FeV)
- Section 25, Paragraph 3 of the Driver's License Regulation
- Appendix 3 (to Section 6, Paragraph 6) of the Driver’s License Regulation (FeV)
- Appendix 8e (regarding Section 24a, paragraph 2, sentence 1) of the Driver’s License Regulation (FeV)
- • Schedule of Fees for Road Traffic Measures (GebOSt)
Legal remedy
- Appeal (For more information on how to file an appeal, please refer to the notice regarding your application)
- Lawsuit in Administrative Court
What else should I know?
Applications / Forms