Deadline for Paper Driver’s License Exchange Approaches in Germany

Drivers born after 1971 must replace old licenses by January 19, 2025, to comply with EU regulations.

Approximately 15 million paper driver’s licenses in Germany, issued before December 31, 1998, must be exchanged for new EU-standard cards by January 19, 2025.
The current phase targets drivers born in 1971 or later, with earlier birth cohorts already required to comply in previous years.
The new EU-compliant licenses are designed to be uniform and fraud-resistant, featuring biometric photos and limited to a 15-year validity period.
Failure to meet the deadline will render old licenses invalid, though the driving entitlement remains intact; a €10 fine may be issued for non-compliance during checks.
Future deadlines are set to phase out older card-format licenses, with all EU driver’s licenses required to meet the new standard by January 19, 2033.