Overview
- EU rules require older licences to be replaced by a unified, fraud‑resistant EU format by 2033, with Germany’s current stage covering cards issued in 1999–2001.
- The swap is administrative with no new test or health check, typically costs about €25–€35, and the new card is valid for 15 years while existing vehicle entitlements are preserved.
- Missing the 19 January deadline invalidates the document but not the driving right, drawing a €10 warning fine in Germany and potential problems abroad or with rental firms.
- Local offices report high demand, multi‑week waits and limited online options, with production bottlenecks at Bundesdruckerei extending delivery times and many places still requiring in‑person surrender of the old card.
- The Bundestag has opened debate to recognize a digital licence on smartphones alongside the physical card, initially for use in Germany only, with broader EU recognition expected later and current app and device compatibility limits noted.