Germany implements mandatory driver's license exchange

Germany is undergoing a mandatory transition of old paper and early card-format driving licenses to the standardized EU credit card format to prevent forgery and ensure uniformity. The exchange is being implemented in stages based on the issuance date or the driver's year of birth.

Drivers holding licenses issued between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2004, must exchange them by January 19, 2027. However, a specific exemption exists for seniors: those born before 1953 have until January 19, 2033, to complete the exchange. This distinction is based on the birth year rather than a specific age threshold.

Regarding driving privileges, holders of the old Class 3 license can generally operate vehicles in categories B, BE, C1, C1E, AM, and L, depending on when the license was originally acquired. The exchange process typically incurs costs in the mid-double-digit range.