town hall
Procedure descriptions

Exchanging an old driving licence for a new one

Card driving licences issued from 19/01/2013 onwards are valid for 15 years. If the validity of the driving licence has expired, a new driving licence must be applied for, unless you waive the driving licence. A driving licence issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged for a current driving licence model by the date shown in the following tables, unless you surrender the driving licence:

Driving licences issued up to and including 31 December 1998:

Year of birth of the licence holder - Date by which the licence must be exchanged.

Before 1953 - 19 January 2033

1953 to 1958 - 19 January 2022

1959 to 1964 - 19 January 2023

1965 to 1970 - 19 January 2024

1971 or later - January 19, 2025

Driver's licenses issued on or after January 1, 1999*:

Year issued - Date by which license must be exchanged.

1999 to 2001 - 19 January 2026

2002 to 2004 - 19 January 2027

2005 to 2007 - 19 January 2028

2008 - 19 January 2029

2009 - 19 January 2030

2010 - 19 January 2031

2011 - January 19, 2032

2012 to 18 January 2013 - 19 January 2033

(*Driver's license holders whose year of birth is prior to 1953 must exchange licenses by January 19, 2033, regardless of the year the license was issued.)

However, the time limit only applies to the driver's license document, not the underlying driver's license. No medical examination or other verification is associated with the document exchange.

The rights documented in the driving licence remain valid even if the document is exchanged. Which driving licence classes are allocated in detail when the driving licence is exchanged is determined by Annex 3 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV).

Responsible department

Contact the driver licensing authority in the town where you have your main residence.

Details

Procedure

Contact your localdriver's license bureau.., where you have your main residence.

Required documents

  • official proof of place and date of birth (e.g. identity card or passport)
  • If applicable, current certificate of registration
  • current photograph (size 45 x 35 mm, portrait format, frontal photograph) Information and examples can be found in the photo sample board (Bundesdruckerei)
  • Driving licence

Costs

The fee is based on the fee regulations for road traffic measures (GebOSt).

Legal basis

Sections 24a, 25 of the Driving Licence Ordinance (FeV)

Annexes 3 and 8e of the FeV

Release note

Hessian Ministry for Economy, Energy, Transport and Housing

Contact

Bürger- und Standesamt (Bürgeramt)
Grabenstraße 15
89522 Heidenheim an der Brenz
Fax (0 73 21) 3 23-33 32