Offices for swapping and replacing driving licences

Online, by appointment or both: it depends on your city

Many cities take licence swaps at a citizens’ office, while others use a separate driving licence authority. Whether you can apply online with a digital ID, and whether the new card must be collected in person, depends on the city. The right counter may also depend on your situation, such as an old paper licence or a lorry or bus category.

About this serviceBrowse offices by city
1 office in Berlin

  • Berlin

    Bürgeramt Rathaus Mitte

    Karl-Marx-Allee 31, 10178 Berlin

    Pick the right appointment, for a card exchange or for lorry and bus categories, and keep your booking confirmation.

    Book an appointmentOffice website030 115

    Card exchange: Bring ID or passport, your existing card and one current biometric photo on paper; the office does not print paper photos. For changes to eyesight restrictions, bring the required sight evidence; C/D cases use the specified medical examination. Check the official deadline table: the 1999–2001 card deadline was 19 January 2026, while 2002–2004 cards are due by 19 January 2027. A separate rule applies to category-B holders born before 1953. Confirm your issue-year and birth-year case rather than assuming 2033 applies to everyone. C/D entitlement renewal: Bring ID or passport, driving licence and a current biometric photograph on paper; the office does not print paper photos. Take eyesight-examination evidence no more than two years old and physical/mental-fitness evidence no more than one year old. For D categories, a performance test no more than one year old is required from age 50 or where renewal crosses that age. D categories also need an authority-purpose criminal-record certificate, requested with the application for an additional fee. Bring professional-training evidence if also applying for the FQN.

Related services

Other everyday services in Germany

Help with rent and living costs in Germany

For people who cannot cover rent, food or other basic costs. See whether the Sozialamt or the Jobcenter is your starting point and how to reach them.

135 offices · 39 cities

Tax registration with the Finanzamt in Germany

For freelancers, sole traders and new business owners. See how tax registration works, what the Steuernummer is for and which tax office can help.

108 offices · 37 cities

Report a change of address in Germany

For people who already live in Germany and move to a new home. See how to update your registered address and which office takes it.

104 offices · 39 cities

Residence permit applications in Germany

For students, workers and family members from outside the EU. See which office handles your stay and how applications start.

103 offices · 38 cities

Register your address after arriving in Germany

For anyone moving into a home in Germany from another country. See what the registration involves and which office in your city deals with it.

98 offices · 39 cities

Certificate of your registered address

For anyone who has to show where they live. See what the certificate covers and which office in your city issues it.

95 offices · 39 cities
Browse services

Other countries

The same task in other countries

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

Where to next

Renew or replace your German licence

For drivers who already hold a German licence. See which situation applies to you and where to ask for the new card.

Renew a German driving licence

Explore more

Jump straight to another part of the manual.