DE · Expiry & renewal tracking
Renew German HGV licences (C/CE) on time
German class C1, C1E, C and CE licences last at most five years and are extended by five years at a time on proof of medical fitness and eyesight (Sections 23, 24 FeV). Application is possible from six months before expiry; letting someone drive without a valid licence is a criminal offence (Section 21 StVG).
Driving licences for classes C1, C1E, C and CE are issued for a maximum of five years, counted from the date on which the licensing authority orders the licence card to be produced (Section 23(1) of the German Driving Licence Regulation, FeV). Classes AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, L and T, by contrast, are issued without a time limit. Class C covers motor vehicles over 3,500 kg permissible maximum mass designed for no more than eight passengers besides the driver; class CE covers combinations of a class C towing vehicle and trailers over 750 kg (Section 6(1)).
On application, validity is extended by five years at a time if the holder proves fitness under Annex 5 nos. 1 and 3 and eyesight under Annex 6, and no facts suggest that the other requirements are missing. The new period runs from the day the old licence ends (Section 24(1)). The application may be filed no earlier than six months before expiry with the competent authority under state law (Section 24(4)). If the licence has already expired when applying, the same proof applies for re-issue (Section 24(2)).
The medical check looks for signs of conditions that could rule out fitness to drive (Annex 5 no. 1); the certificate may be no more than one year old when the application is filed (Annex 5 no. 3). Eyesight is tested under Annex 6 no. 2 by an ophthalmologist, an occupational physician, a doctor at a driving assessment centre, the public health office or another public administration, or an optician; the certificate or report may be no more than two years old when applying (Section 12(6) and (7)).
At a glance
| Classes | C1, C1E, C, CE (Section 23(1) FeV) |
|---|---|
| Validity | At most five years; each renewal adds five years from the expiry date (Section 23(1), Section 24(1)) |
| Earliest application | Six months before expiry (Section 24(4)) |
| Medical certificate | Under Annex 5 no. 1; no more than one year old when applying (Annex 5 no. 3) |
| Eyesight test | Under Annex 6 no. 2; no more than two years old (Section 12(6) and (7)) |
| Authority | Competent driving licence authority under state law (Section 24(4)) |
Who is responsible?
The licence holder applies for renewal (Section 24(1) FeV). The deadline matters for employers too: a vehicle keeper who orders or allows someone to drive without the required licence commits a criminal offence (Section 21(1) no. 2 of the Road Traffic Act, StVG).
If the deadline passes
Driving a motor vehicle without the required driving licence is a criminal offence (Section 21(1) no. 1 StVG). After expiry, the licence for the class can be issued again if the same proof as for a renewal is provided (Section 24(2) FeV).
Why plan early?
The application can be filed no earlier than six months before expiry (Section 24(4) FeV), the medical certificate may be at most one year old and the eyesight certificate at most two years old. Because renewal runs from the expiry date (Section 24(1)), applying early does not cost any validity. The medical and eyesight appointments therefore fit well into the six-month window.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each driver's class C/CE licence with the expiry date shown on the card.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself. You can add a separate entry for the start of the six-month window.
- The driver can upload the new licence through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the dispatcher; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How long is a German class C/CE licence valid?
- At most five years; each renewal adds another five years from the expiry date (Section 23(1), Section 24(1) FeV).
- When can I apply for renewal?
- No earlier than six months before the licence expires (Section 24(4) FeV).
- What proof do I need?
- A medical certificate under Annex 5 (at most one year old) and an eyesight certificate under Annex 6 (at most two years old) (Section 24(1), Section 12(6) and (7) FeV).
- Does my car licence expire with C/CE?
- No. Class B is issued without a time limit; only classes C1, C1E, C and CE are limited to five years (Section 23(1) FeV).
Sources
- Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV) § 6 Einteilung der Fahrerlaubnisklassen
- FeV § 12 Sehvermögen
- FeV § 23 Geltungsdauer der Fahrerlaubnis
- FeV § 24 Verlängerung von Fahrerlaubnissen
- FeV Anlage 5 Eignungsuntersuchungen für Bewerber und Inhaber der Klassen C, C1, D, D1
- FeV Anlage 6 Anforderungen an das Sehvermögen
- Straßenverkehrsgesetz (StVG) § 21 Fahren ohne Fahrerlaubnis
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.
Made for HGV driving licence (C/CE) (Germany)
A ready template for HGV driving licence (C/CE) (Germany) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each HGV driving licence (C/CE) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each HGV driving licence (C/CE) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.