Since 01.01.1999 there is the new card driving license. This is the size of a debit or credit card and is standardized throughout Europe. Since 19.01.2013, it has only been issued for a limited period of 15 years.

You can exchange your old grey or pink paper driving license for the current EU standardized card driving license at any time. You must apply for the exchange at your competent driving license authority (= district administrative authority).

All driving licenses issued before 19.01.2013 must be gradually exchanged for the new, temporary EU card driving license by 19.01.2033.

The validity of the new driving licenses is limited to 15 years - regardless of the underlying driving license (see also the information on driving licenses for trucks and buses below) - after which they must be renewed.

The exchange does not change the driving license itself. Only the driving license is exchanged as proof of the driving license. The old driving licenses are transferred to the new driving license categories.

In this context, it should be noted with regard to the old paper driver's licenses that, irrespective of the exchange of the driver's license, there have already been changes with regard to the period of validity of the driver's licenses for trucks and buses (and corresponding combinations) with the introduction of the new driver's license classes in 1999.

For further information, please refer to the service description "Driving license for buses and trucks; applying for an extension of the period of validity" (see "Related topics").