When can I apply for renewal in Germany?

No earlier than six months before expiry (Section 4(3) FPersV) and at least 15 working days before (Article 28(1)). You then receive the new card before the old one expires (Article 28(3)).

Who issues the driver card?

The competent authority of the Member State where the driver normally lives (Article 26(1)); in Germany, the authorities or bodies responsible under state law (Section 4(2) FPersV).

Can I keep driving if my card is lost?

For up to 15 calendar days, or longer if needed to return the vehicle to its base, and only if you can show that the card could not be produced or used. You must apply for a replacement within seven calendar days (Article 29(4) and (5)).

DE · Expiry & renewal tracking

Tachograph driver card: keep expiry and renewal in view

A German tachograph driver card is valid for at most five years (Article 26(6) of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014). The driver applies for renewal no earlier than six months (Section 4(3) FPersV) and no later than 15 working days before expiry (Article 28(1)); an expired card must not be used (Article 27(2)).

The driver card for the digital tachograph is valid for no more than five years (Article 26(6) of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014). It is issued at the driver's request by the competent authority of the Member State where the driver normally lives, within one month of receiving the application and all required documents (Article 26(1)). In Germany, cards are issued by the authorities or bodies responsible under state law (Section 4(2) of the German Driving Personnel Regulation, FPersV).

Renewal has a time window: the application may be filed no earlier than six months before the card expires (Section 4(3) FPersV) and must be filed at least 15 working days before expiry (Article 28(1)). If you meet this deadline, you receive the new card before the old one expires (Article 28(3)).

A driver may hold only one valid driver card and must not use a defective or expired card (Article 27(2)).

Start free

At a glance

Validity	No more than 5 years (Article 26(6) Reg. (EU) No 165/2014)
Renewal application	No earlier than 6 months (Section 4(3) FPersV) and at least 15 working days before expiry (Article 28(1))
Issue	Within one month of receiving the application and all documents (Article 26(1))
Issuing body	The authorities or bodies responsible under state law (Section 4(2) FPersV)
Who can apply	Holders of a valid German driving licence, or of an EU/EEA licence for vehicles subject to driving and rest time rules (Section 4(1) FPersV)
Lost, stolen or defective	Apply for a replacement within seven calendar days (Article 29(4))

Who is responsible?

The driver applies for the card and its renewal (Article 26(1) and Article 28(1)). Transport undertakings and drivers are jointly responsible for the proper functioning and correct use of tachographs and driver cards (Article 32(1)).

If the deadline passes

An expired driver card must not be used (Article 27(2)). A driver who uses one anyway commits an administrative offence (Section 23(2) no. 1a FPersV). So does an employer who fails to ensure that the driver card is used correctly (Section 23(1) no. 2 FPersV).

Lost, stolen or defective cards

The cardholder must report a loss without delay to the authority or body that issued the card (Section 4(5) FPersV). A replacement must be applied for within seven calendar days; the authority issues it within eight working days of receiving the detailed application (Article 29(4)). Until then the driver may keep driving without a card for up to 15 calendar days, or longer if needed to return the vehicle to its base, provided they can show that the card could not be produced or used (Article 29(5)). If the card being replaced has less than six months left, it is renewed instead (Section 4(4) FPersV).

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add each driver and enter their driver card with its expiry date.
Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before expiry and on the expiry day. The first reminder, 60 days ahead, falls inside the application window between six months and 15 working days.
The driver can upload the new card through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person, such as the dispatch team; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a card expires, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How long is a driver card valid?: No more than five years (Article 26(6) of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014).
When can I apply for renewal in Germany?: No earlier than six months before expiry (Section 4(3) FPersV) and at least 15 working days before (Article 28(1)). You then receive the new card before the old one expires (Article 28(3)).
Who issues the driver card?: The competent authority of the Member State where the driver normally lives (Article 26(1)); in Germany, the authorities or bodies responsible under state law (Section 4(2) FPersV).
Can I keep driving if my card is lost?: For up to 15 calendar days, or longer if needed to return the vehicle to its base, and only if you can show that the card could not be produced or used. You must apply for a replacement within seven calendar days (Article 29(4) and (5)).

Sources

Last checked: Sep 30, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

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Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each tachograph driver card (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each tachograph driver card (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.