EU driving license exchange in Germany

Under Directive 2006/126/EC, drivers in the European Union are required to exchange old driving licenses for standardized EU credit-card format documents to improve road safety and prevent forgery.

In Germany, the exchange follows a staggered schedule to manage administrative workloads. For licenses issued before December 31, 1998, deadlines are based on the holder's birth year. For licenses issued between January 1, 1999, and January 18, 2013, the deadline is determined by the year of issuance, with a final deadline for all remaining exchanges set for January 19, 2033. The code ‘4a’ on the new documents indicates the issuance date, which is essential for tracking these deadlines.

Specific upcoming deadlines apply to card-based licenses issued between 2002 and 2004, which must be replaced by January 19, 2027. However, the Federal Ministry of Transport has provided an extension for senior citizens born before 1953; these individuals may wait until January 19, 2033, to complete the exchange regardless of their current document's issuance date.