DE · Expiry & renewal tracking
Keep track of your drivers' German licence documents
German card licences issued from 19 January 2013 are valid for 15 years (Section 24a(1) FeV); the limit applies to the document, not to the entitlement for classes AM to T. Older licences must be exchanged by the Annex 8e deadlines and then lose their validity; once expired, a new licence must be applied for.
German driving licences issued from 19 January 2013 are valid for 15 years (Section 24a(1) sentence 1 of the Driving Licence Regulations, FeV). This limit applies to the document: the driving entitlement for classes AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, L and T is granted without a time limit, while classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE are granted for five years at most (Section 23(1)). The first validity period is based on the day the licensing authority orders the licence to be produced (Section 24a(3) sentence 1).
Licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged by the date given in Annex 8e; after that they lose their validity (Section 24a(2)). For licences issued up to the end of 1998 the deadline depends on the holder's year of birth, for later ones on the year of issue. Holders born before 1953 must exchange by 19 January 2033, whatever the year of issue (Annex 8e).
Once validity has expired, the holder must apply for a new licence unless they give up the entitlement (Section 25(3a)). Anyone driving a motor vehicle must carry a valid licence for it and hand it to the competent persons on request (Section 4(2) sentence 2).
At a glance
| Licence | Exchange by |
|---|---|
| Issued up to 31 Dec 1998, holder born before 1953 | 19 January 2033 |
| Issued up to 31 Dec 1998, born 1953 to 1958 | 19 July 2022 |
| Issued up to 31 Dec 1998, born 1959 to 1964 | 19 January 2023 |
| Issued up to 31 Dec 1998, born 1965 to 1970 | 19 January 2024 |
| Issued up to 31 Dec 1998, born 1971 or later | 19 January 2025 |
| Issued from 1 Jan 1999: in 1999 to 2001 | 19 January 2026 |
| Issued 2002 to 2004 | 19 January 2027 |
| Issued 2005 to 2007 | 19 January 2028 |
| Issued 2008 | 19 January 2029 |
| Issued 2009 | 19 January 2030 |
| Issued 2010 | 19 January 2031 |
| Issued 2011 | 19 January 2032 |
| Issued 2012 to 18 January 2013 | 19 January 2033 |
Exchange deadlines under Annex 8e FeV. Licences issued from 19 January 2013 are valid for 15 years (Section 24a(1)); for classes C and D, the entitlement itself is also limited to five years at most (Section 23(1)).
Who is responsible?
Exchanging and renewing the licence is the holder's job: after expiry they apply for a new licence (Section 25(3a) FeV) and carry a valid licence when driving (Section 4(2) sentence 2). When the new licence is handed over, the old one is withdrawn or invalidated; on request the holder may keep it cancelled (Section 25(5)).
If the deadline passes
After the exchange deadline, the old licence loses its validity (Section 24a(2) sentence 2 FeV). Not carrying a valid licence or not handing it over contrary to Section 4(2) sentence 2 is an administrative offence (Section 75 no. 4).
Truck and bus classes have their own deadline
For classes C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE the entitlement itself is limited to five years at most (Section 23(1) FeV) and is only extended on application if the holder proves fitness and eyesight (Section 24(1)). A separate entry makes sense for this.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add an entry for each driver and enter the expiry date from the licence; for licences issued before 19 January 2013, the exchange date from Annex 8e.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself. That leaves time to apply to the licensing authority.
- Drivers can upload a photo of the new licence through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the fleet manager; 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 new German card licence valid?
- 15 years if issued from 19 January 2013 (Section 24a(1) FeV). The first period runs from the day the authority orders the licence to be produced (Section 24a(3)).
- Does the driving entitlement expire with the document?
- Not for classes AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, L and T: that entitlement is granted without a time limit (Section 23(1)). The document is time-limited; after expiry a new licence must be applied for (Section 25(3a)).
- By when must an old licence be exchanged?
- For licences issued up to the end of 1998 it depends on the year of birth, for later ones on the year of issue; the deadlines are in Annex 8e FeV and run up to 19 January 2033.
- What if the exchange deadline is missed?
- The old licence loses its validity (Section 24a(2) sentence 2 FeV). Driving without carrying a valid licence is an administrative offence (Section 4(2), Section 75 no. 4).
Sources
- Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV) § 24a Gültigkeit von Führerscheinen
- FeV Anlage 8e: Umtausch vor dem 19. Januar 2013 ausgestellter Führerscheine
- FeV § 23 Geltungsdauer der Fahrerlaubnis
- FeV § 24 Verlängerung von Fahrerlaubnissen
- FeV § 25 Ausfertigung des Führerscheins (Abs. 3a)
- FeV § 4 Erlaubnispflicht und Ausweispflicht (Abs. 2)
- FeV § 75 Ordnungswidrigkeiten (Nr. 4)
Last checked: Oct 1, 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 driving licence document (Germany)
A ready template for driving licence document (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 driving licence document (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each driving licence document (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.