Exchange old driver's license

Prerequisites

• You possess a paper driving licence, an unlimited card driving licence, or an expired card driving licence.
• Her main residence is in Hamburg.
• You submit the application in person.

Documents required

• a valid identity card or an electronic residence permit (eAT) or a passport with current registration confirmation
• a biometric passport photo 35 x 45 millimeters - not older than 1 year
• current driver's license
• For paper driving licences not issued in Hamburg: a copy of your driving licence record (obtainable from the authority that issued your old licence)
• the appointment confirmation

Additionally, for the extension of a truck driving licence of the old classes 2 and 3:

• ophthalmological report in accordance with Annex 6 of the Driving Licence Regulations (FeV), not older than 2 years
• medical reportaccording to Annex 5.1 of the German Driving Licence Regulations (FeV), not older than 1 year.

If you are no longer interested in renewing your old license classes and ownership rights, you do not need an expert opinion. You may then continue to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tons plus trailers over 3.5 tons (provided the total weight does not exceed 12 tons).

Please note

Driving licences can also be exchanged at the Hamburg Service locations.

With the old Class 3 license, extending the authorization to drive vehicles over 7.5 tons (CE 79) is no longer straightforward. Upon exchanging your license, you will receive a Class BE driving licence.

If you wish to obtain additional driving licence categories, you will need to submit further documents. If you have been over 50 for more than 5 years, you must also take a theoretical and a practical test for categories C and CE (formerly category 2). Alternatively, you can choose not to obtain category 2.

Your driving licence remains valid after the exchange.

Deadlines

The exchange deadlines for paper driving licences depend on the year of birth of the licence holder:

• For items purchased before 1953: Exchange is possible until January 19, 2033.


• 1953 to 1958: Exchange until July 19, 2022


• 1959 to 1964: Exchange until January 19, 2023


• 1965 to 1970: Exchange until January 19, 2024


• 1971 or later: Exchange until 19.01.2025

For driving licences issued without a validity period, the year of issue of the licence applies:

• 1999 to 2001: Exchange until January 19, 2026


• 2002 to 2004: Exchange until 19.01.2027


• 2005 to 2007: Exchange until 19.01.2028


• 2008: Exchange until 19.01.2029


• 2009: Exchange until January 19, 2030


• 2010: Exchange until 19.01.2031


• 2011: Exchange until 19.01.2032


• 2012 to January 18, 2013: Exchange until January 19, 2033
  
  
  If you were born before 1953, you also have until January 19, 2033 to exchange your card-format driving licence.

Driving licences of category B issued from 19 January 2013 onwards are already valid for 15 years. Please adhere to the expiry date on your document.

Procedure

• You book an appointment online.
  • On our website for booking appointments, select the category "Driving license"
  • Book the appointment "Exchange of a German driving licence for a temporary EU card driving licence"
  • You will receive an email. Confirm your reserved appointment via the link in the email.
• Please bring all necessary documents and your appointment confirmation to your appointment at the LBV.
• Scan the QR code from your appointment confirmation using the scanner on site.
• Please take a seat in the waiting area. You will be called by your number.
• Your request will be processed on site.
• Your old driver's license will usually be temporarily revoked on-site, and the new one will be sent directly to your home by the Federal Printing Office. During this time, your old driver's license is only valid in Germany.

Alternatively, you can submit your application in person at the Hamburg Service Center. Further information and appointment booking can be found in the corresponding entry for the Hamburg Service Center.

Processing time

After applying, you will receive your new driver's license from the Federal Printing Office within a maximum of four weeks. With the express application, you will receive your driver's license within three working days.

Fees

The fees amount to EUR 44.70.


For express orders, an additional fee of EUR 26.40 will apply.


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

Legal remedies

Not applicable

Legal basis

Section 24a Driving Licence Regulation (FeV)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/__24a.html


Section 25 of the Driving Licence Regulation (FeV)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/__25.html


Appendix 3 Driving Licence Regulation (FeV)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/anlage_3.html


Appendix 8e Driving Licence Regulation (FeV)


www.gesetze-im-internet.de/fev_2010/anlage_8e.html