Driving licence renewal in Germany
How to renew a driving licence — how it works anywhere
Renewing a German driving license involves converting older paper licenses to the modern, standardized EU photocard format. The process is managed by the local driver licensing authority where the holder resides.
Applications should be submitted several months before the document expires, as processing times for new cards often take 4 to 8 weeks and appointment availability at local offices can be limited.
Start 60 days ahead
This accounts for the administrative processing time and the production of the physical card by the Bundesdruckerei.
The process
- 1Determine the correct Führerscheinstelle responsible for your current place of residence.
- 2Book an appointment with the authority, or check if the application can be submitted by mail.
- 3Prepare the required application form and supporting identity documents.
- 4Submit the application and pay any applicable administrative fees.
- 5Collect the new driving license in person or await its arrival by mail if the local authority offers a delivery service.
What to bring
- Valid identification (Passport or Personalausweis)
- Current driving license
- One biometric passport-sized photograph
- Completed application form (available from the local authority website or office)
Who handles it
Führerscheinstelle (Driver Licensing Authority)
Fees vary by municipality but generally range between 25 EUR and 40 EUR; confirm the exact amount with the local Führerscheinstelle.
What commonly goes wrong
- Ensuring the biometric photo meets the specific requirements for official documents.
- Missing the mandatory deadline for exchanging older 'paper' licenses, which are being phased out according to a specific birth-year schedule.
- Failing to update your address with the residents' registration office (Meldebehörde) before applying for the license renewal.
Sources
This guide is based on one official source.
Don't rely on remembering
Renewals here take about 60 days to start. Add this document and Duratum will tell you when that window opens.