If your driving licence has expired, you must apply for a new one. Old paper and indefinite card driving licences must be gradually exchanged for the EU card driving licence by 2033.
Your driving licence categories generally remain valid. Exceptions apply to truck categories; changes will occur if you reach the age of 50. Further information can be found under "Important Information".
More Information
Publisher
Hamburg
Last update or date of publication
Contact
The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.
Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).
Call 115 nowGovernment service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.
- 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 report according to Annex 5.1 of the German Driving Licence Regulations (FeV), not older than 1 year.
Preconditions
- 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.
Hints
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.
The exchange fee is €32.80 (€25.50 + €1.00 + €6.30).
For express orders, an additional fee of EUR 22.30 will apply.
The fee is based on the fee schedule for measures in road traffic (GebOSt).
Basis for legal action
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
Legal Remedies
Not applicable
Related Links
- Driver's license, exchange, application to residents' officeCurrently this link is only available in german
- Important information and deadlines for the 2033 driver's license exchangeCurrently this link is only available in german
- LBV appointment bookingsCurrently this link is only available in german
- LBV-MobilCurrently this link is only available in german
- Request a copy of the index cardCurrently this link is only available in german
- State Transport Authority - ContactCurrently this link is only available in german
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.
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
- 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.
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.