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.

1 office in Bielefeld
  • Bielefeld

    Stadt Bielefeld – Fahrerlaubnisbehörde

    Ravensberger Park 5, 33607 Bielefeld

    Book a personal appointment ideally six months to four weeks before expiry, and a second one to collect.

    Bring ID, your German or EU card licence, a paper biometric photo no older than six months, eyesight evidence no older than two years and a general medical report no older than one year. Bus categories also require an authority-purpose criminal-record certificate and, where renewal extends beyond age 50, a psychophysical assessment no older than one year. Bring professional-driver qualification evidence if applicable. Direct delivery is possible while categories remain valid.

Related services

Other everyday services in Germany

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