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Exchanging your German driving licence: all deadlines, costs and documents
Updated on 22.10.2026
Many drivers don't know it: every German driving licence issued before 19 January 2013 has to be exchanged for the new EU card licence. This applies to the old grey and pink paper licences as well as many card licences. Here you can see your deadline, what the exchange costs and which documents you need.
Deadline checker: when do I have to exchange my licence?
Select when your licence was issued. On a card licence the date is in field 4a on the front. For old paper licences your year of birth decides.
All exchange deadlines at a glance
So that not all old licences have to be exchanged at once, the deadlines are staggered. They are based on the third EU Driving Licence Directive, implemented in Annex 8e of the German Driving Licence Regulation (FeV). The cut-off date is always 19 January.
Card licence (issued 1999 to 18 January 2013)
The year of issue in field 4a on the front decides.
| Year of issue | Exchange by | |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 – 2001 | 19 January 2026 | Deadline passed |
| 2002 – 2004 | 19 January 2027 | Next deadline |
| 2005 – 2007 | 19 January 2028 | |
| 2008 | 19 January 2029 | |
| 2009 | 19 January 2030 | |
| 2010 | 19 January 2031 | |
| 2011 | 19 January 2032 | |
| 2012 to 18 Jan 2013 | 19 January 2033 |
Paper licence (issued until the end of 1998)
For the grey, pink or East German (GDR) paper licence, the holder's year of birth decides.
| Year of birth | Exchange by | |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 – 1958 | 19 January 2022 | Deadline passed |
| 1959 – 1964 | 19 January 2023 | Deadline passed |
| 1965 – 1970 | 19 January 2024 | Deadline passed |
| 1971 or later | 19 January 2025 | Deadline passed |
Which licences have to be exchanged?
All car and motorcycle licences issued before 19 January 2013 are affected. This is how you recognise yours:
- Grey licence ("grauer Lappen"): paper licence from West Germany, issued until 1986.
- Pink licence ("rosa Lappen"): paper licence, issued from 1986 until the end of 1998.
- GDR licence: paper licence from former East Germany. The same deadlines as for the other paper licences apply.
- Card licence issued 1999 to 18 January 2013: credit-card format, but without an expiry date in field 4b.
Missed the deadline: what happens now?
If you missed the deadline, you don't lose your driving entitlement. But the old licence is no longer a valid document, and that has consequences:
- Administrative offence: a traffic check can cost you a €10 fine. In exceptional cases the federal states can waive it.
- Abroad and rental cars: abroad or at a car rental desk, an expired licence can cause problems.
- No penalty points and no driving ban: the fine is the only sanction.
Documents you need for the exchange
According to the German government, only a few documents are needed. Have everything ready before your appointment:
- Valid ID card or passport
- A current biometric photo (35 × 45 mm)
- Your current licence
- A "Karteikartenabschrift" (record copy) if your paper licence was issued by a different authority (see below)
- The fee of about €25; your authority sets the exact amount
The photo for the licence exchange
The photo from your old licence is not reused. For the new card you need a current biometric photo following the same rules as for the ID card:
- Size 35 × 45 mm, face 32 to 36 mm high
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking into the camera
- Light, plain background without shadows
- For the driving licence usually as a printed photo – some offices also take it on site
How the exchange works, step by step
The exchange is a purely administrative procedure. You don't take a new test, and your driving entitlement stays the same.
What happens to old classes such as class 3?
Your driving entitlements are kept during the exchange (vested rights). Old classes are transferred to today's EU categories; special rights appear as code numbers on the back. The old class 3, for example, becomes categories B, BE, C1 and C1E, among others.
Your exchange photo in 2 minutes
Take a photo with your phone, have it checked against the biometric rules and download it as a print sheet – no photographer appointment needed.
Create a driving licence photoFrequently asked questions about the exchange
Do I have to exchange my driving licence?
Yes, if it was issued before 19 January 2013. This covers all paper licences (grey, pink, GDR) and card licences from 1999 to 2012. Licences from 19 January 2013 are valid for 15 years and only need renewing when they expire.
When do I have to exchange my licence?
For card licences the year of issue decides: 2002–2004 by 19 Jan 2027, 2005–2007 by 19 Jan 2028, 2008 by 19 Jan 2029, 2009 by 19 Jan 2030, 2010 by 19 Jan 2031, 2011 by 19 Jan 2032 and 2012 to 18 Jan 2013 by 19 Jan 2033. The deadlines for all paper licences and for cards from 1999–2001 have already passed. If you were born before 1953, you have until 19 Jan 2033.
How much does the exchange cost?
The fee is about €25; the authority sets the exact amount. On top come the photo and, if needed, a fee for the record copy or for home delivery.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
It is an administrative offence that can be fined €10. Your driving entitlement remains, so you may keep driving. Still, exchange the licence as soon as possible.
Do I need a new test or eye test for the exchange?
No. The exchange is purely administrative. You need neither a driving test nor a medical examination or eye test. The exception is the truck categories C1/C1E from the old class 3 if you want to keep them beyond your 50th birthday.
Do I need a new photo for the exchange?
Yes. You need a current biometric photo in 35 × 45 mm format. The old photo from your licence is not reused. You can also take the photo yourself with your phone and print it.
What is a Karteikartenabschrift and when do I need it?
A copy of your licence record. You need it if your paper licence was issued by a different authority than the one where you live today. You request it from the issuing authority by post, phone or online and have it sent to your current licensing office.
Where do I exchange my licence?
At the licensing authority (Führerscheinstelle) where you currently live. Depending on the town or district, that is the citizens' office, the district office or the road traffic office. Book an appointment early.
How long does the exchange take?
The appointment itself only takes a few minutes. Producing the card at the Bundesdruckerei usually takes a few weeks. Before the January deadlines it can take much longer to get an appointment.
Can I drive while the exchange is in progress?
Yes. You usually keep your old licence until you collect the new one. If the office keeps it when you apply, for example with home delivery, you normally get a temporary certificate for the meantime.
How long is the new licence valid?
The new EU card licence is valid for 15 years. After that you renew the document like an ID card – with a new photo, but without a test or medical check. The driving entitlement itself for cars and motorcycles has no time limit.
I was born before 1953 – what applies to me?
A special rule applies: whatever the year of issue, you only have to exchange your licence by 19 January 2033, even if you still have a paper licence.
Conclusion
The licence exchange is quickly done: book an appointment, bring your ID, old licence and a biometric photo, pay about €25 – that's it. There is no test. Check your deadline now and take care of it early, because appointments get scarce before every 19 January.
Official sources
The deadlines and rules come from these official sources (as of October 2026):