EU driver's license transition requires mandatory exchange

A mandatory EU-wide transition is underway to replace old paper and early credit-card style driver's licenses with a new, standardized, and forgery-proof format. This initiative aims to ensure uniformity across the European Union and facilitate the recording of data in a central database to prevent misuse.

The exchange process is being implemented in stages based on the holder's birth year or the date the original license was issued. For example, those with paper licenses issued before December 31, 1998, must exchange them based on their birth year, while those with card licenses issued between 1999 and 2013 follow a schedule based on the document's issuance date. Failure to comply with these deadlines can result in administrative fines.

Regarding driving privileges, holders of the old Class 3 license generally retain the right to operate vehicles in categories B, BE, C1, C1E, AM, and L. Those who obtained their license before April 1980 may also operate small motorcycles up to 125cc. The new EU license is valid for 15 years, though the driving permission itself remains valid indefinitely. The exchange must be processed through the local licensing authority at the holder's current place of residence.