Overview
- Drivers with card licences issued in 1999, 2000 or 2001 must exchange them by January 19, 2026 under the EU‑mandated schedule.
- Municipal offices report heavy demand with many appointment slots booked out, while some cities allow online applications to secure the deadline.
- The exchange requires no driving test or health check and typically needs an ID, a biometric photo and the old licence, with fees reported around €25 to about €34.
- Processing and central printing can take several weeks, so applying now may not yield the new card before the cutoff even if the request is filed in time.
- Missing the date leads to a €10 warning in Germany and potential issues abroad or with rental cars, and lawmakers are debating a smartphone licence planned for late 2026 that will not initially replace the physical card.