Driver's license, exchange old driver's license

Prerequisites

• Her main residence is in Hamburg
• You submit the application personally

Documents required

• a valid identity card or passport with a current registration certificate
• a biometric passport photo 35 x 45 millimeters
• the current driver's license
• If necessary, an index card copy if you have a paper driving license that was not issued in Hamburg. You can obtain the index card copy from the authority that issued your old driver's license.
• the appointment confirmation

To extend a truck driving license of the old classes 2 and 3, you also need the following documents :

• an ophthalmological report in accordance with Appendix 6 of the Driving License Ordinance (FeV) not older than two years
• a medical report in accordance with Annex 5.1 of the FeV not older than one year

If you are no longer interested in extending the old classes and ownership rights, you do not need an appraisal. You can then continue to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes plus trailers over 3.5 tonnes (as long as the total weight does not exceed 12 tonnes).

Please note

You can also exchange your driving license at LBV-Mobil. Paper driving licenses can also be exchanged at the customer centers of the district offices.
Driving license classes
With the old class 3, an extension to allow vehicles over 7.5 tons (CE 79) to be driven is no longer easily possible. When you exchange your license, you will receive a class BE driving license.
If you would like to obtain additional driving license classes, additional documents must be submitted. If you have been over the age of 50 for more than 5 years, an additional theoretical and practical test will be required for classes C and CE (formerly class 2). Alternatively, you can forego class 2.
Appointment booking:

• Visit our website to book an appointment (see link below).
• Select the category: Driver's License
• Then choose: Exchange a German driving license for a temporary EU card driving license
• Follow the steps to reserve an appointment.
• You will receive an email. Confirm your reserved appointment using the link in the email.
• You will receive an appointment confirmation. Bring these with you to your appointment.

Deadlines

Old driving licenses must be exchanged up to the following dates:


For paper driving licenses issued by December 31, 1998, the year of birth of the driving license holder is decisive:

• before 1953: Exchange 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 by January 19, 2025

For unlimited card driving licenses with an issue date from January 1, 1999, the year of issue of the driving license applies:

• 1999 to 2001: Exchange until January 19, 2026


• 2002 to 2004: Exchange until January 19, 2027


• 2005 to 2007: Exchange until January 19, 2028


• 2008: Exchange until January 19, 2029


• 2009: Exchange until January 19, 2030


• 2010: Exchange until January 19, 2031


• 2011: Exchange until January 19, 2032


• 2012 until January 18, 2013: Exchange until January 19, 2033

Class B driving licenses issued from January 19, 2013 are already limited to 15 years. Please adhere to the expiry date on your document.

Procedure

• Book an appointment online.
• Bring all required documents with you.
• Your request will be processed on site.
• Your old driving license will usually be limited on site and the new driving license will be sent to your home directly from the Federal Printing Office. During this time, your old driving license is only valid in Germany.

Processing time

After applying, you will receive your new driving license from the Bundesdruckerei after a maximum of four weeks.


If you apply expressly, you will receive your driving license within three working days.

Fees

The fees are EUR 30.40. The fee is based on the fee schedule for measures in road traffic (GebOSt).


The process can be sped up if you choose express ordering, which is only possible at LBV. This costs an additional EUR 26.40.

Legal remedies

no

Legal basis

§ 24a Driving License Ordinance (FeV)

§ 25 Driving License Ordinance (FeV)

Appendix 3 Driving License Ordinance (FeV)

Appendix 8e Driving License Ordinance (FeV)

If your driving license has expired, you must apply for a new driving license. Old paper and unlimited card driving licenses must be gradually converted into the EU card driving license by 2033.