With an amendment to the Driving License Ordinance that has been in force since January 19, 2013, all driving licenses issued since then are limited to 15 years. This means that, like identity documents, driving licenses will have to be renewed again and again in the future.
The renewal of a driver's license is independent of the respective driver's license class, a check of the driver's license holder or the presentation of medical certificates or similar is not provided for in principle.
Exchange obligation
According to the current legal status, all driver's licenses issued before January 19, 2013 are only valid for a limited period of time and - depending on the year of birth of the holder or the date of issue of the driver's license - must be exchanged.
Corresponding information on the regulations can be found at the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. You can see by which date you may have to exchange your driver's license by the specified cut-off dates.
Until the respective cut-off dates, old paper driver's licenses as well as all card driver's licenses already issued until 19.01.2013 remain valid and do not bring any disadvantages for the holders until then. Holders of an old class 2 driver's license must, however, have their driver's license converted to a card driver's license at the latest when they reach the age of 50 in order to maintain their license.
Driving licenses can be exchanged at any time. This is particularly recommended if the license has become illegible, for example, or if an international driver's license is required. The new EU card driver's license will then be issued upon request.
Documents required for personal application:
- Identity card/passport
- 1 current biometric photo according to passport regulations
- Presentation of the old driver's license
Please note that an appointment must be made in advance to submit the application.