Renew or replace a German driving licence

From old paper licences to lost cards and lorry or bus categories

Older paper licences and early cards have to be swapped for the current card, and the deadlines depend on your year of birth or when the licence was issued. The local licensing office also replaces a licence that was lost, stolen or damaged, and renews lorry and bus categories, which depend on health and eyesight checks. Swapping an old licence does not mean taking the driving test again.

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How it works

Renew or replace a driving licence

Renew a locally issued licence or replace one that is lost, stolen or damaged.

A driving licence issued in the country where you live must be renewed when it expires and replaced if it is lost, stolen or damaged or your details change. You usually need ID, a recent photo and your old licence or, after a theft, sometimes a police report; for some categories or ages, a medical certificate is also required. Some countries let you renew online, while others require a visit. If your licence was issued in another country, use the exchange of a foreign licence instead.

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At a glance

Offices
56 offices in 38 cities
Book online
At 51 of 56 offices
Apply online
At 13 of 56 offices

Swaps, replacements and lorry or bus renewals

Where to renew or replace your licence

Applying online and sending documents by post is possible at some offices, while others expect you to come in to sign for the new licence. Which case you are in, whether an old paper licence, a lost card or a lorry or bus category, also shapes what the office asks for.

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Other countries

The same task in other countries

Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.

Where to next

Licence renewal and replacement offices

Which office in your city issues new licence cards, and whether it works online, by appointment or both.

Licence renewal offices in Germany

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