Germany mandates swap of pre‑2013 driver’s licences, Berlin waits up to 12 weeks

All German driver’s licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged for a new EU‑wide, fraud‑proof card licence by early 2033. The change affects roughly 15 million paper licences and 28 million card licences. The new licence is valid for 15 years, does not require a health check, and its database entry is intended to curb misuse. Failure to exchange the licence is a punishable offence and may lead to a fine, as well as problems abroad.

In Berlin, the average processing time for the exchange is about twelve weeks, though it can be longer depending on the volume of applications. The next batches to be swapped are licences issued between 2002‑2004, due by 19 January 2027, followed by those from 2005‑2007, due by 19 January 2028. Applicants can request direct postal delivery of the new card for a fee of €5.10. In 2025 more than 90 000 licences were renewed nationwide; in the previous year Berlin processed 72 865 older card licences and 19 672 paper licences.