Overview
- The EU-mandated Jan. 19 deadline for licences issued from 1999 to 2001 has expired, part of the phased switch to a standardized EU card by 2033.
- Drivers can still apply, often online via local licensing authorities, with reported processing times of roughly three to six weeks and limited in-person appointments.
- Missing the deadline typically results in a €10 warning fine, the document becomes invalid, and problems may arise abroad or when renting vehicles, but the right to drive remains.
- Applicants generally need a valid ID or passport, a current biometric photo, and the existing licence; fees are €25.50 plus €1.00, with optional €6.50 direct shipping from Bundesdruckerei, plus photo costs.
- A digital licence is planned from late 2026 via the i‑Kfz app and the EUDI‑Wallet, yet it will not replace the requirement to exchange for the physical EU card.