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...
WeiterlesenIf you are searching for replace driving licence Germany, it is important to understand that there are several different situations in which you may need a new driving licence document.
You may have:
Although these situations are often described using words such as replace, exchange, renew, or convert, they are not legally identical.
For example, replacing a lost German driving licence is different from converting a foreign driving licence into a German one. Likewise, exchanging an old German licence for an EU card is different from replacing a stolen licence.
This guide explains the main replace driving licence Germany scenarios, the documents you may need, costs, application procedures and the difference between replacement and foreign licence conversion.
For more German driving licence information and related guides, visit FahrenExperten.
The phrase replace driving licence Germany can refer to several administrative procedures.
If your German driving licence has been lost, you normally need to apply for a replacement document.
If your licence has been stolen, you should report the theft and apply for a replacement.
A licence that has become illegible or seriously damaged may need to be replaced.
Older German driving licences are being exchanged for the modern EU card format according to statutory deadlines.
If you have moved to Germany with a foreign licence, you may need to exchange or convert it rather than simply replace it.
The terminology matters because the requirements can be completely different.
Understanding these terms makes the process much easier.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Replace | Obtain a new document because the original was lost, stolen or damaged |
| Renew | Obtain a new document because the existing document or entitlement requires renewal |
| Exchange | Replace one licence document with another, often an old German or EU/EEA licence |
| Convert | Obtain a German driving licence based on a foreign driving licence |
| Reissue | Administrative issuance of a licence after certain circumstances |
If you are a foreign resident in Germany, you may actually need Umschreibung, the German term for conversion/exchange of a foreign driving licence.
For information specifically about foreign licences, see our Foreign Driving Licence Germany guide.
Losing your driving licence does not automatically mean that your driving entitlement has disappeared.
The physical licence document is evidence of your driving entitlement, while the Fahrerlaubnis is the legal authorisation to drive.
If you lose the physical document, you should contact the competent Fahrerlaubnisbehörde and request a replacement.
The authority may ask you to provide evidence of your identity and information about the lost licence.
If your licence has been lost, take these steps:
Check carefully before reporting it missing.
If you cannot locate it, proceed with the replacement process.
The relevant authority is generally the local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde responsible for your residence.
Depending on the circumstances and local procedure, you may need to provide a declaration concerning the loss.
You will normally need an identity document such as:
A current biometric photograph may be required for the replacement document.
The replacement cost depends on the local authority and circumstances.
Once the application has been processed, you receive a new German driving licence document.
If your German driving licence has been stolen, the process is similar to replacing a lost licence, but there is an important additional consideration: the theft should be reported to the police where appropriate.
This creates an official record of the theft and may be useful when dealing with the driving licence authority.
You should also be alert to potential misuse of the stolen document.
When applying for a replacement, bring your identification and any documentation relating to the theft that the authority requests.
Yes.
If your driving licence is physically damaged, particularly if important information such as your name, photograph, licence number or categories can no longer be read properly, you should request a replacement.
A damaged licence can cause problems when:
Replacing the document before it becomes unreadable can prevent unnecessary complications.
The exact documents depend on the reason for replacement and your local authority.
You may be asked for:
Always check the requirements of your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde before attending your appointment.
There is no single nationwide replacement price covering every situation.
The fee can depend on:
German administrative fees are governed by the applicable Gebührenordnung für Maßnahmen im Straßenverkehr (GebOSt).
If you are dealing with a foreign licence rather than a lost German licence, the costs can be different.
For a broader guide to German licence expenses, see our Driving Licence Cost Germany article.
If you have recently moved to Germany, you may not need a simple replacement.
Instead, you may need to exchange or convert your foreign driving licence.
This is particularly important because Germany treats EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA licences differently.
If your licence was issued by an EU or EEA country, you generally do not need to replace it simply because you moved to Germany.
Valid EU/EEA driving licences are generally recognised in Germany.
Section 29 of the German Driving Licence Regulation provides that when an EU/EEA licence holder establishes normal residence in Germany, their driving entitlement is governed by the EU/EEA recognition rules.
For many ordinary categories, an immediate exchange is therefore unnecessary.
However, an exchange can become relevant when the licence expires or in other circumstances specified by German law.
For a detailed explanation, see our EU Driving Licence Exchange Germany guide.
If your driving licence was issued outside the EU/EEA, the situation is different.
Germany generally recognises a valid third-country licence for six months after you establish normal residence in Germany.
After this period, you generally need to convert the foreign licence into a German driving licence if you want to continue driving in Germany.
The German Federal Portal also explains that foreign licence holders who move to Germany for a longer period must exchange their foreign licence after the applicable six-month period.
This is not the same as replacing a lost licence.
It is a conversion procedure.
Read our guide to Convert Foreign Driving Licence Germany for more information.
The six-month rule is one of the most important requirements for people moving to Germany with non-EU/EEA licences.
Under §29 FeV, when the holder of a driving licence from a country outside the EU/EEA establishes normal residence in Germany, the driving entitlement generally remains valid for six months. In certain circumstances, the authority can extend the period by up to another six months if the applicant can demonstrate that their normal residence in Germany will not last more than twelve months.
You move from the United States to Germany and register your normal residence.
You have a valid US driving licence.
You can generally use that licence for the applicable six-month recognition period.
If you intend to stay in Germany, you should start the conversion process well before the six months expire.
It depends on the country that issued your original licence.
Germany has special conversion rules for certain countries under Annex 11 of the FeV.
Depending on the country and licence category, you may be able to convert your licence:
Therefore, you should not assume that every foreign driver must take the full German driving examination.
If an examination is required, our German Theory Test and German Driving Test resources can help you understand the process.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not the same as a German national driving licence.
An IDP is generally an accompanying document used with the underlying national licence.
German law states that foreign driving entitlements are evidenced through the relevant national or international driving licence arrangements, and an international document is connected to the underlying national licence.
If you have lost your national driving licence, replacing only the international permit generally does not solve the underlying problem.
For more information, read our International Driving Licence guide.
This depends on what you mean by „replace.“
If your foreign licence is lost while you are living in Germany, the German authority may not simply issue a German replacement document.
The issuing country may remain responsible for replacing its licence, while Germany may have its own procedures for converting a foreign licence.
This is why you should contact the local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde before assuming that a German replacement can be issued.
For foreign licence conversion, German authorities generally require the original national foreign licence as evidence of the foreign driving entitlement. The German regulations specifically require applicants under §31 FeV to prove possession of the foreign driving entitlement through the national driving licence.
This can be more complicated than losing a German licence.
If your licence was issued by another country, the German authority may need to verify that the foreign driving entitlement actually exists.
The appropriate procedure can depend on:
Do not assume that an International Driving Permit can substitute for the original foreign licence during a German conversion application.
The German Federal Portal specifically lists the foreign driving licence among the documents relevant to conversion.
There is another meaning of replace driving licence Germany: exchanging an older German licence for the modern EU-format card.
Germany has a mandatory exchange system for older German driving licences.
The Federal Portal states that German licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged for the EU card format according to the applicable deadlines, with the overall process extending through the early 2030s.
This is an exchange, not a replacement because the licence was lost.
The deadline depends on the type of old licence and, for certain documents, the holder’s year of birth or date of issue.
If you still have an old paper German driving licence, check the applicable deadline rather than waiting until the final date.
When a German licence is exchanged for another licence document, the underlying driving entitlement does not necessarily disappear.
For example, §30a FeV provides that when a driving licence based on a German driving entitlement is exchanged for a foreign licence, the German driving entitlement remains in existence. The provision also regulates the return or retention of the foreign document when a German licence is subsequently issued.
This demonstrates why it is useful to distinguish between:
Fahrerlaubnis = legal driving entitlement
and
Führerschein = physical licence document.
If your personal details have changed, such as after a legal name change, you may need to update your driving licence.
A new document can be issued showing the updated information.
The exact documentation depends on the reason for the change.
You may need evidence such as:
Check with your local authority for the exact requirements.
A change of address does not necessarily mean that a new driving licence must be issued.
Modern EU driving licences generally do not display a driver’s full residential address.
However, your registration details must be updated with the relevant authorities.
If your specific licence document contains information that needs updating, ask your Fahrerlaubnisbehörde whether a new document is required.
If you need a replacement German licence, the process is usually straightforward.
Determine whether the licence is:
Find the authority responsible for your place of residence.
Gather your identification, photograph and any supporting documentation.
Follow the authority’s instructions.
Depending on your local authority, you may need to apply personally.
Pay the applicable administrative charge.
The new document will be issued once the application has been processed.
If you have moved to Germany with a foreign licence, follow a different process.
Is it:
Make sure the licence is currently valid.
Establish when you became normally resident in Germany.
For many non-EU/EEA licences, this is six months.
Determine whether your country qualifies for simplified conversion.
Some foreign licences require a translation.
Submit the required documentation.
Take the theory and/or practical test where applicable.
The foreign licence is generally surrendered as part of the conversion process where required.
German law provides specific rules concerning the surrender, return or retention of foreign licences during conversion.
The exact list varies, but common documents include:
| Document | May be required? |
|---|---|
| Passport/ID | Yes |
| Biometric photograph | Yes |
| German registration | Often |
| Existing German licence | If available |
| Foreign driving licence | For conversion |
| Police report | In theft cases |
| Declaration of loss | In loss cases |
| Translation | For certain foreign licences |
| Medical certificate | Certain categories |
| Eye test | Certain categories |
| First-aid certificate | Depending on procedure |
For foreign licence conversion, German authorities specifically identify the foreign driving licence and identity documents among the relevant requirements.
Processing times vary by authority and the type of application.
A straightforward replacement of a German licence can be simpler than a foreign licence conversion.
Foreign licence conversions can take longer because the authority may need to:
As one current example, Bremen states a processing period of approximately four to six weeks for its non-EU/EEA foreign licence conversion service.
Actual processing times can vary significantly between cities and individual applications.
This is an important question.
The fact that you have applied for a replacement document does not automatically mean that you have permission to drive without the required documentation.
The physical licence and legal driving entitlement are related but distinct concepts.
If your licence has been lost or stolen, ask the competent authority or police what documentation you should carry while waiting.
Do not assume that a receipt or application confirmation is automatically equivalent to a valid driving licence for every purpose.
An expired licence may require renewal or exchange, rather than a simple replacement.
The procedure depends on:
For EU/EEA licences, §30 FeV contains specific provisions for cases where the licence expires after the holder has established normal residence in Germany.
For non-EU/EEA licences, the foreign licence generally must be valid during the applicable recognition and conversion procedure.
A lost German licence is not treated the same way as a foreign licence that needs conversion.
An International Driving Permit does not replace the underlying national licence.
Non-EU/EEA licence holders who establish normal residence should pay particular attention to the six-month recognition period.
The German Federal Portal indicates that foreign licence conversion should be dealt with while the foreign driving entitlement is still valid.
Conversion requirements vary by country and licence category.
Valid EU/EEA licences are generally recognised in Germany, subject to the applicable rules.
If you have lost, damaged or had your German driving licence stolen, contact the local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde and apply for a replacement. The exact documentation and fee depend on your circumstances and local authority.
It depends on the circumstances. A foreign licence may need to be converted rather than simply replaced. The German authority may require the original foreign licence as evidence of the underlying driving entitlement.
If you establish normal residence in Germany, a valid non-EU/EEA licence is generally recognised for six months.
Yes. An EU/EEA licence can be exchanged in Germany, although an exchange is generally not immediately necessary simply because you have moved to Germany.
Not necessarily. For foreign licence conversion, the requirements depend on the issuing country and applicable rules, including Annex 11.
Contact the issuing authority and the German Fahrerlaubnisbehörde. The correct procedure depends on the country of issue and whether you have already started a German conversion application.
The availability of online services varies between German authorities. Some procedures may require personal attendance, particularly foreign licence conversion. For example, Bremen currently specifies personal application for its non-EU/EEA conversion service.
The fee depends on the type of replacement or exchange and the responsible authority. Foreign licence conversion can involve additional costs for translations, tests, medical certificates and driving lessons.
When searching for replace driving licence Germany, the first step is to determine exactly what you need.
If you have simply lost, damaged or had a German driving licence stolen, you generally need a replacement document from your local Fahrerlaubnisbehörde.
If you have an old German driving licence, you may instead need to exchange it for the modern EU-format card according to the applicable deadline.
If you have a foreign driving licence, the situation is different. EU/EEA licences are generally recognised in Germany, while licences from outside the EU/EEA are generally recognised for six months after establishing normal residence. After that, conversion into a German licence is generally required to continue driving.
Most importantly, do not confuse replacement, exchange, renewal and conversion. Identifying the correct procedure can save time, money and unnecessary examinations.
For more information about foreign licences, German licence requirements, examinations and costs, explore the related guides at FahrenExperten.
Driving Licence in Germany: Everything You Need to Know A driving licence is an important...
Weiterlesen
Rijbewijs kosten in Duitsland: een compleet overzicht Wie in Duitsland zijn rijbewijs wil halen, vraagt...
Weiterlesen