Overview
- The requirement covers even the early card-format licences from 1999 to 2001, which will be invalid after the deadline.
- Applicants must book an appointment and present a biometric passport photo, a valid ID and the old licence, with no new driving test required for car or motorcycle categories.
- Authorities report processing times of about 10 to 12 weeks, so late applications risk not receiving the new EU card in time.
- Costs differ by locality, with the ADAC citing roughly €25 on average and Mülheim listing €32.80 including postage plus an express pickup option.
- If the exchange is missed police can issue a €10 warning, driving entitlement remains, and experts caution that travel or rental-car checks may be problematic.