Driving Licence in Germany: Everything You Need to Know A driving licence is an important...
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Driving Licence in Germany: Everything You Need to Know A driving licence is an important...
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Rijbewijs kosten in Duitsland: een compleet overzicht Wie in Duitsland zijn rijbewijs wil halen, vraagt...
WeiterlesenLosing your driving licence in Germany can be stressful, especially if you need to drive to work, travel or manage everyday responsibilities. Fortunately, losing the physical driving licence does not normally mean that you have lost your legal driving entitlement.
If you are searching for lost driving licence Germany, the most important thing is to act promptly. German law requires the loss of a driving licence to be reported without delay and provides for the issue of a replacement document. Under Section 25 of the German Driving Licence Regulation (FeV), a person whose driving licence has been lost or destroyed must report the loss immediately and obtain a replacement document unless they give up their driving entitlement.
This guide explains what to do after losing your driving licence in Germany, which documents you may need, how much a replacement can cost, how long the process can take and what to do if you later find the original licence.
For more information about German driving licences, requirements and related procedures, visit FahrenExperten.
If you cannot find your driving licence, do not simply continue using your vehicle indefinitely without dealing with the missing document.
The general process is:
German law specifically requires the loss to be reported without delay.
The exact procedure can differ between cities and federal states, so always check the requirements of your local driving licence authority.
This is an important distinction.
Your Fahrerlaubnis is your legal entitlement to drive, while the Führerschein is the physical document that serves as evidence of that entitlement.
If you lose the physical licence, this does not automatically mean that your underlying driving entitlement has disappeared.
However, you should not assume that simply knowing that you have a valid driving entitlement means you can ignore the missing document.
The correct approach is to notify the authority and apply for a replacement.
Section 25 FeV specifically provides for a replacement document when a licence has been lost or destroyed.
The replacement process is generally handled by the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde at your place of residence.
The German Federal Portal confirms that a replacement licence can be applied for through the responsible driving licence authority.
The procedure generally involves the following steps.
Before making an official declaration, carefully check:
This is important because reporting a licence as lost can trigger an administrative replacement process.
If you find the old licence after a replacement has been issued, the old document is no longer valid and must be handed to the competent driving licence authority.
Your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde is normally responsible for issuing the replacement.
Depending on where you live, the authority may operate under a different administrative name, such as:
The Federal Portal provides the relevant service as „Fahrerlaubnis – Ersatzführerschein nach Verlust oder Diebstahl beantragen.“
The exact requirements can vary according to your location and individual circumstances.
However, common documents include:
For example, Bavaria’s official information states that a current biometric photograph may be required and that an affirmation in lieu of an oath can be requested depending on the individual circumstances.
In Hesse, official guidance similarly lists a biometric photograph, proof of identity and, where applicable, a declaration concerning the whereabouts of the lost licence.
Therefore, it is sensible to check your local authority before attending your appointment.
In many cases, yes.
A current biometric photograph is commonly required for the new card driving licence.
For example, Berlin’s official service information requires one current biometric passport photograph for a replacement licence following loss or theft.
The photograph should meet the German requirements for biometric identification photographs.
Potentially.
Depending on the circumstances, your driving licence authority may require you to make an eidesstattliche Versicherung, or declaration in lieu of an oath, concerning the whereabouts of the lost licence.
This is not necessarily required in every case.
Bavaria’s official information states that the authority may require such a declaration depending on the circumstances of the individual case.
If required, an additional fee can apply.
There is no single nationwide amount that applies to every replacement application.
Fees can vary according to:
As a current example, Bavaria states that the replacement driving licence fee is generally around €35–€45, potentially plus a fee for an affidavit and delivery.
Berlin’s official service currently lists:
These are Berlin-specific figures and should not be treated as a nationwide fixed price.
For a broader overview of driving licence expenses, read our Driving Licence Cost Germany guide.
Processing time depends on the local authority and whether you request standard or express processing.
The new card is generally produced centrally by the Bundesdruckerei.
Official information shows that processing times can differ considerably.
For example, Bremen currently states an ordinary processing time of approximately four to six weeks, while its express procedure can take around three working days.
Berlin currently states that express production by the Bundesdruckerei takes approximately 48 hours.
This demonstrates why you should check your specific local authority rather than relying on a nationwide estimate.
Depending on the authority and your circumstances, you may be able to obtain a temporary document or other temporary permission while waiting for the replacement.
The terminology and availability can vary.
For example, Berlin currently lists a provisional driving document as an available service connected with the replacement application.
Bremen, however, explains that it does not issue a „provisional driving licence“ in the same form and instead refers to a fee-based exception permit.
This is another reason to contact your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde before driving without the physical licence.
Suppose you report your licence as lost and then discover it in an old bag.
What should you do?
Do not simply start using the old document again after a replacement has been issued.
Section 25 FeV states that when a new licence is issued, the previous licence becomes invalid, and if the previously lost licence is subsequently found, it must be surrendered to the competent driving licence authority without delay.
The safe procedure is:
Find old licence → inform/submit it to the authority → use the new valid licence.
A stolen licence should be treated differently from an accidentally misplaced document.
If your licence has been stolen, you should generally report the theft to the police and obtain evidence of the report if required.
The exact documentation varies by authority.
For example, Bavaria lists a police theft report among the documents that may be required for a replacement licence following theft.
Hamburg’s official process also requires applicants to appear personally for the replacement procedure and bring the relevant documentation.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Lost | Report the loss and apply for a replacement |
| Stolen | Report the theft and apply for a replacement |
| Damaged | Apply for a replacement if the document is unusable |
| Destroyed | Apply for a replacement |
| Found after replacement | Return the old document |
| Expired | Apply for the appropriate new licence rather than treating it as a simple loss |
The German Federal Portal confirms that replacement procedures cover licences that have been lost, stolen, destroyed or become illegible/unusable.
The availability of online applications depends on the local authority.
Some authorities require personal attendance.
For example, Berlin’s official service states that personal appearance is required for its replacement procedure.
Hesse’s official information likewise states that personal appearance is required for the relevant service.
Other administrative processes may provide online appointment booking or digital components, but you should not assume that the complete replacement process can be completed online.
Usually, the applicant may need to appear personally, particularly where identity verification, photographs or declarations are involved.
Some authorities may permit collection by an authorised representative under certain conditions.
For example, Thuringia’s official information states that a completed card driving licence can be collected personally or, under certain conditions, by a representative with a power of attorney.
Check the procedure of your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde before sending someone else on your behalf.
If your lost licence was an older German paper licence, the replacement process can involve additional record verification.
Berlin’s official guidance states that a Karteikartenabschrift may be necessary when the lost paper licence was not issued in Berlin, for example if it was issued in another federal state.
A replacement will generally be issued as a modern card driving licence rather than reproducing the old paper document.
Bavaria explicitly states that old pink or grey paper licences are no longer issued as replacements.
If you are a foreign resident living in Germany, the procedure depends on whether the lost licence was:
This distinction is extremely important.
If you were issued a German driving licence and lost the physical card, you generally apply for a German replacement.
If you lost a foreign driving licence, Germany may not simply issue a replacement for the foreign document.
Instead, you may need to contact the issuing country’s authority and/or deal with the German conversion process.
For information about foreign licences, see our Foreign Driving Licence Germany guide.
This situation can be more complicated.
Suppose you moved to Germany with a valid Canadian, American, Australian, British, Indian or other foreign licence and then lost it.
Before applying for a German conversion, you may need to establish evidence of your original driving entitlement.
German law provides that, when issuing a replacement licence after loss, the authority can verify the relevant driving entitlement through German registers and, where necessary, through foreign registers.
For foreign licence conversion, the original foreign licence can also be an important part of the evidence required.
If you are in this situation, contact your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde and the licensing authority of the country that issued your licence.
Do not assume that an International Driving Permit can replace the original foreign licence.
For more information, read our International Driving Licence guide.
If you hold a non-EU/EEA driving licence and have established normal residence in Germany, the licence is generally recognised for six months.
After this period, conversion into a German licence is generally required to continue driving legally in Germany.
Therefore, losing your foreign licence shortly after moving to Germany can be particularly important because you may need to resolve both:
Our Convert Foreign Driving Licence Germany guide provides more information about this process.
If you simply lost a valid German driving licence, losing the physical document does not normally mean that you need to retake your driving test.
The purpose of the replacement procedure is to issue a new document proving an existing driving entitlement.
Section 25 FeV specifically provides for an Ersatzdokument when the licence has been lost or destroyed.
However, this should not be confused with foreign licence conversion.
If you are converting a foreign licence into a German licence, examination requirements can depend on the issuing country and applicable rules.
See our guides to the German Theory Test and German Driving Exam for more information.
When a replacement licence is issued following a loss, the authority can verify your driving entitlement using official registers.
Section 25 FeV provides for verification through the Zentrale Fahrerlaubnisregister and Fahreignungsregister, and potentially through foreign registers where necessary.
This means the replacement process is not simply a matter of printing another copy of your old card.
The authority verifies that you actually possess the relevant driving entitlement.
If you previously held several categories, such as:
the replacement licence should reflect the driving entitlements that are actually recorded.
This is particularly important if you hold professional categories or additional endorsements.
If you believe a category is missing from your replacement document, contact the issuing authority immediately.
Professional drivers should take particular care.
If your driving licence contains code 95, the replacement procedure may involve additional considerations.
Bremen’s official information specifically notes that special issues can arise where code 95 is recorded on the driving licence.
If you use your licence professionally, verify that all relevant categories and endorsements are correctly recorded when your replacement document is issued.
Here is a simple checklist you can follow.
Make sure it is genuinely lost.
If stolen, report the theft to the police.
Use the authority responsible for your residence.
Prepare:
Submit the replacement application.
An affidavit may be required in certain cases.
The cost depends on the authority and services requested.
If you urgently need your licence, check whether your authority offers express production.
The licence is produced centrally and then delivered or collected.
Once a replacement has been issued, the old licence is no longer valid.
German law requires the loss to be reported without delay.
A photograph or scan of your old licence is not the same thing as a replacement driving licence.
A police report documents a theft; it does not itself issue a new driving licence.
Many authorities require a current biometric photograph.
Fees, appointments, temporary documentation and processing times can differ between authorities.
Once the replacement has been issued, the old licence becomes invalid and must be returned if found.
A lost German licence normally requires a replacement.
A foreign licence may instead require a recognition or conversion procedure.
Report the loss without delay to the responsible Fahrerlaubnisbehörde and apply for an Ersatzführerschein. German law requires a replacement document when a licence has been lost or destroyed unless the holder gives up the driving entitlement.
Costs vary by location. Bavaria currently states that replacement fees are generally around €35–€45, with possible additional fees for an affidavit or delivery. Berlin currently lists €42.50 for a replacement licence.
It depends on the local authority. Bremen currently indicates around four to six weeks for standard processing, while express options can be substantially faster.
Normally, no. Losing the physical licence does not by itself mean that you have to retake the driving test. The replacement process is intended to issue a new document for an existing driving entitlement.
You should clarify what temporary documentation or permission your local authority provides before driving. Procedures vary between authorities, and an application receipt should not automatically be assumed to be equivalent to a driving licence.
If the replacement has already been issued, the old licence is no longer valid and must be returned to the competent driving licence authority.
A police report is particularly relevant when the licence was stolen. For an ordinary loss, your authority may instead require a declaration concerning the loss and, depending on the circumstances, an affidavit.
It depends on the licence and circumstances. If it was issued abroad, you may need to contact the issuing country and/or follow the German foreign-licence conversion procedure rather than simply requesting a German replacement.
This depends on your local authority. Some authorities require personal attendance. Berlin and Hesse, for example, currently specify personal appearance for their replacement procedures.
A lost driving licence in Germany is inconvenient, but the replacement process is generally straightforward when you take the correct steps.
The most important things to remember are:
If you have a foreign licence rather than a German licence, make sure you determine whether you need a replacement, recognition, exchange or conversion. These are different procedures with different requirements.
For additional information, explore the FahrenExperten guides on German Driving Licence Requirements, Driving Licence Germany, Foreign Driving Licence Germany and Convert Foreign Driving Licence Germany.
Driving Licence in Germany: Everything You Need to Know A driving licence is an important...
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