Driving license expired: How to get a new one

If your driver's license has expired and you want to continue driving by car, you are required to apply for a new one. Read here what you need to consider.

Driving license expired - so apply for a new document

Since January 19, 2013 there has been a new regulation, according to which driving licenses are no longer valid indefinitely. Just like the ID card and the passport, the driver's license must now be applied for regularly.

• Specifically, this means that if your driver's license was issued after January 18, 2013, you must have it renewed every 15 years. If you received your driver's license before this date, you must adhere to the deadlines listed below.
• The driver's license office of your place of residence is responsible for issuing a new driver's license.
• To get a new driver's license, you have to appear in person at the office. Representation is not accepted.
• Bring your "old" driver's license, a new biometric photo and your ID card.
• Processing takes an average of four to six weeks. If you are unlucky, it can also take longer.

Missed the deadline - you can do that

With your expired driver's license, you may no longer take part in road traffic. If you applied for the new driver's license too late, there is the option of a so-called exemption.

• This temporary exemption is subject to a fee. In order to receive them, you have to personally speak to the driving license authority.
• With the temporary exemption you can only drive in Germany. This replacement driver's license is not accepted abroad - this also applies to the EU interior. If you drive anyway, you face high fines.

Costs for extending your license - you have to expect that

The extension of the license is associated with costs.

• The fees of the driving license authority are different. You should expect around 40 to 50 euros for the new driver's license.
• Then there is the biometric photograph. Expect costs here between ten and fifteen euros. Alternatively, you can take your biometric passport photo yourself.
• If you apply for the new driver's license too late, you will be fined. Usually it is around ten euros.

Deadlines for new applications - you should keep an eye on these dates

For driving licenses that were issued before 1999, you initially have longer deadlines for the new application. In this case, the year of birth is decisive for you:

• Born before 1953 - valid until January 19, 2033.
• Born between 1953 and 1958 - valid until 19.01.2021.
• Born between 1959 and 1963 - valid until 19.01.2022.
• Born between 1964 and 1970 - valid until January 19, 2023.
• Born from 1971 - valid until January 19, 2024.

For driving licenses acquired from 1999, the date of issue applies:

• Issuance of driving license between 1999 and 2000 - valid until January 19, 2025.
• Issuance of the driver's license between 2001 and 2002 - valid until January 19, 2026.
• Issuance of the driver's license between 2003 and 2004 - valid until January 19, 2027.
• Issuance of driver's license between 2005 and 2006 - valid until January 19, 2028.
• Issuing of the driver's license between 2007 and 2008 - valid until January 19, 2029.
• Issue of driving license 2009 - valid until January 19, 2030.
• Issue of driver's license 2010 - valid until January 19, 2031.
• Issue of driving license 2011 - valid until January 19, 2032.
• Issue of driver's license between 2012 and January 18, 2013 - valid until January 19, 2033.
• Driver's license issued from January 19, 2013 - valid for 15 years

There are a lot of different license categories in Germany. An overview of all classes and all important information can be found here.