Overview
- Card-format licences issued between 1999 and 2001 must be exchanged by 19 January 2026, which you can confirm by checking the issue date in field 4a.
- Apply at the local driving-licence authority or via available online services with a valid ID, a biometric passport photo and your current licence, with no medical exam or re-test required.
- Typical fees for the exchange run about €25 to a little over €30 depending on the locality, while replacing a lost card can cost more than €60.
- Missing the deadline can lead to a €10 warning fine, and outdated cards may be rejected by car-rental firms or create complications when driving abroad.
- If the licence is lost or stolen, file a police report to obtain a theft certificate and request a temporary permit valid within Germany while the new card is produced.