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Driving licence - apply for an EU driving licence
You must exchange old driving licences for a new card driving licence ("EU driving licence"). All driving licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged by 19 January 2033 at the latest. The old driving licences will be exchanged in stages.
The following are exempt from this principle
- old category 2 driving licences and
- old class 3 driving licences for special combinations up to a gross vehicle weight of 18.5 tonnes.
Driving licences in these categories must be exchanged for a card driving licence at the age of 50 at the latest. You must also provide proof of your fitness to drive.
When you exchange your category 3 licence, you will receive a driving licence for lorry categories C1 and C1E for an unlimited period of time and without aptitudesproof.
Class 3 and former class 2 (new classes C, CE) driving licences are limited in time from the age of 50. To renew your licence, you will need a general medical certificate and an ophthalmological certificate of aptitude. The extension is valid for five years for both categories.
If you work in agriculture or forestry and have a category 3 driving licence, you can apply for a category T driving licence when you exchange your licence. To do this, you must prove that you work in agriculture or forestry. You can do this, for example, with a certificate from the Berufsgeor a confirmation from your employer.
The old driving licences are still valid in Germany and other EU countries. However, problems may arise , for example, during police checks or when renting a vehicle due to outdated photos or illegible information.
You must exchange old driving licences for a new card driving licence ("EU driving licence"). All driving licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged by 19 January 2033 at the latest. The old driving licences will be exchanged in stages.
The following are exempt from this principle
- old category 2 driving licences and
- old class 3 driving licences for special combinations up to a gross vehicle weight of 18.5 tonnes.
Driving licences in these categories must be exchanged for a card driving licence at the age of 50 at the latest. You must also provide proof of your fitness to drive.
When you exchange your category 3 licence, you will receive a driving licence for lorry categories C1 and C1E for an unlimited period of time and without aptitudesproof.
Class 3 and former class 2 (new classes C, CE) driving licences are limited in time from the age of 50. To renew your licence, you will need a general medical certificate and an ophthalmological certificate of aptitude. The extension is valid for five years for both categories.
If you work in agriculture or forestry and have a category 3 driving licence, you can apply for a category T driving licence when you exchange your licence. To do this, you must prove that you work in agriculture or forestry. You can do this, for example, with a certificate from the Berufsgeor a confirmation from your employer.
The old driving licences are still valid in Germany and other EU countries. However, problems may arise , for example, during police checks or when renting a vehicle due to outdated photos or illegible information.
Responsible authority
the driving licence office of your place of residence
Is the driving licence office,
- if you live in an urban district: the city administration
- if you live in a rural district: the district authority
If you live in a country other than an EU or EEA member state, any driving licence authority in Germany is responsible for this matter. It is best to contact the driving licence authority that issued your driving licence or the driving licence authority that is responsible for your last place of residence in Germany. They will explain the further procedure to you.
Details
Prerequisite
You have an old driving licence.
You have an old driving licence.
Procedure
The application must be submitted in writing to the driving licence office in your place of residence or, if offered by the competent authority, as an online application. If you apply in writing, you can obtain the application form from the driving licence office. You can also submit the written application including the necessary proof and documents there. In most cases, the driving school you have registered with will submit the application for you.
For the online application, please use the link on this page. You can upload the required certificates and documents as file attachments as part of the online application.
Once you have submitted all the required documents, the responsiblenthe relevant office can send you the card driving licence by post on request. Otherwise, you will be notified that you can collect your driving licence from the driving licence office. Another person can collect your driving licence from you with written authorisation.
For an extra fee, you can request an express ordernorder. This will shorten the waiting time for your new driving licence. Please contact your local authority for more information.
The application must be submitted in writing to the driving licence office in your place of residence or, if offered by the competent authority, as an online application. If you apply in writing, you can obtain the application form from the driving licence office. You can also submit the written application including the necessary proof and documents there. In most cases, the driving school you have registered with will submit the application for you.
For the online application, please use the link on this page. You can upload the required certificates and documents as file attachments as part of the online application.
Once you have submitted all the required documents, the responsiblenthe relevant office can send you the card driving licence by post on request. Otherwise, you will be notified that you can collect your driving licence from the driving licence office. Another person can collect your driving licence from you with written authorisation.
For an extra fee, you can request an express ordernorder. This will shorten the waiting time for your new driving licence. Please contact your local authority for more information.
Deadlines
You can find more information on the mandatory exchange of old driving licences and the deadlines for the exchange in the text "Old driving licences - applying for a mandatory exchange for an EU driving licence".
You can find more information on the mandatory exchange of old driving licences and the deadlines for the exchange in the text "Old driving licences - applying for a mandatory exchange for an EU driving licence".
Required documents
- Identity card or passport
- a biometric passport photo
- national driving licence
- if the exchange is due to the renewal of a Class 3 lorry driving licence (special combinations up to a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 18.5 t) or Class 2: additionally
- a certificate or expert opinion on physical and mental fitness
- a certificate or expert opinion on eyesight
- Identity card or passport
- a biometric passport photo
- national driving licence
- if the exchange is due to the renewal of a Class 3 lorry driving licence (special combinations up to a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 18.5 t) or Class 2: additionally
- a certificate or expert opinion on physical and mental fitness
- a certificate or expert opinion on eyesight
Costs
26,50 EUR
Miscellaneous
Driving licences issued from 19 January 2013 are limited to 15 years. The time limit only applies to the card driving licence. The card must be renewed every 15 years. Regular medical examinations or other tests are not associated with the document exchange.
An international driving licence can only be issued if you are in possession of a current card driving licence.
Legal basis
Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV):
- § 25 Ausfertigung des Führerscheins
Straßenverkehrsgesetz (StVG):
- § 2 Fahrerlaubnis und Führerschein
Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV):
- § 25 Ausfertigung des Führerscheins
Straßenverkehrsgesetz (StVG):
- § 2 Fahrerlaubnis und Führerschein
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Verkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 12.02.2026
Supplement by Stadt Heidelberg
