Germany mandates EU driver’s license exchange by 2027

Germany is requiring holders of old paper licences and earlier‑format card licences to exchange them for the new EU‑wide, fraud‑proof driver’s licence. The ADAC estimates about 15 million paper licences and 28 million card licences must be replaced. Exchanges are carried out at the local driver’s licence authority of the holder’s current residence and cost roughly €25. A missed deadline incurs a €10 administrative fine and may cause problems abroad.

The deadline depends on the licence’s issue date and the holder’s birth year. Paper licences issued up to 31 December 1998 must be exchanged by 19 January 2025 for those born in 1971 or later, with later‑issued cards having staggered deadlines up to 19 January 2027. The “4a” field on the new card shows the card’s order (issue) date, which determines the applicable exchange window. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, the ADAC and the Kraftfahrt‑Bundesamt provide tables to guide motorists through the schedule.