City Resident Affairs

Replacing a driver's license after theft or loss (Hamburg Service)

If your driving license is lost or stolen, you can apply for a new one.

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Detailed description

If your driving license is lost or stolen, you can apply for a new document.
In addition to the State Transport Authority, this service is also offered at the special City location.

 

Information

Prerequisites

In order to apply, you must have your main place of residence in Hamburg.


The application must be submitted in person.

Documents required

  • a valid identity card or passport and, if available, the electronic residence permit
  • a biometric passport photo 35 x 45 millimeters - not older than 1 year
  • A copy of the driving licence card, if the licence was not issued in Hamburg and is still in the old paper format (the applicant can request the copy himself or commission the LBV to do so, which may delay the process).
  • Additionally, in case of theft: file a police report (for foreign reports, a translation by a sworn translator is necessary)

Please note that the processing time is currently approximately 3 months.

Please note

  • Loss or theft of other vehicle documents
    If you have lost other vehicle documents, please book another appointment with the registration office (LBV).
  • Finding your driver’s license
    If you find your lost driving licence again, you must hand it in to the LBV, as you are not allowed to have two driving licence documents at the same time. You can hand it in at any time at the information desk or by registered mail to the LBV
  • Validity of driving licenses
    Driving licenses issued after January 19, 2013 are valid for fifteen years. After expiry, a new license must be issued. Driving licenses issued before January 19, 2013 must be exchanged by January 19, 2033 at the latest.
  • An express application is only possible at the LBV.

Deadlines

none

Procedure

The application is made on site. The new driver's license is sent by registered mail by the LBV to the registered address of the applicant. If no report of loss is received from the German police when the application is made at the special City location, the new driver's license can be picked up from the LBV. When picking up the license, an additional affidavit must be submitted. In this case, the fee is increased by the cost of the affidavit.

Processing time


  • The processing time is approximately 4 months.

  • After the driving licence has been produced by the Federal Printing Office in Berlin, it will be sent to your home by registered mail within four months.

  • If no police report of loss is available at the time of application, the driver's license must be collected from the LBV (State Office for Road Traffic). In this case, you will receive a notification as soon as the driver's license is ready for collection.

  • If an express procedure is available for this service, it can only be used at the LBV.

Fees


  • A replacement application without prior notification costs €79.

  • A replacement application with notification costs €48.

Payment methods available

  • Girocard
  • Classic credit card

Payment information

no cash payment

Legal remedies

no

Legal basis

Links on hamburg.de

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

City Resident Affairs

Mon-Fri 7am-7pm, visits are only possible by appointment. You can book an appointment online (https://www.hamburg.de/go/17584) or by phone at 040 115.

If you would like to apply for an identity card, passport or children's passport, you can use an existing self-recording terminal (Speed Capture Terminal) to capture the necessary biometric data (digital photo, signature, fingerprints).


Please allow a few minutes more time before your appointment to collect your data.


Note: You will not receive a printout of the digital photo.


There is no need to bring a passport photo with you when using the self-registration terminal.


Use costs 6 euros.


Please speak to the clerk afterwards.


Danger!


The existing self-recording terminal (Speed Capture Terminal) cannot be used for fishing licenses and driver's license applications. Please bring a passport photo (biometric) with you for these services.

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Last updated: 15.02.2026