Press release
Publication date: 2026-07-15
Driving License Exchange Apply now and avoid waiting times.
The Oberbergischer Kreis reminds citizens of the current deadlines for the legally required driver's license exchange and recommends submitting the application as early as possible.
Starting in the fall, there is expected to be a significant increase in demand and longer processing times. Those who exchange their driver's licenses now can do so stress-free and avoid potential delays.
According to an EU directive, by January 19, 2033, all previously issued unlimited driver's licenses must be exchanged for the current driver's license document with an expiration date. This applies to all paper driver's licenses (gray or pink) as well as card driver's licenses issued before January 19, 2013. In Germany, the exchange is staggered based on birth years or the year the license was issued.
The previous exchange deadlines already applied to all holders of gray or pink paper driver's licenses born after 1953, as well as all holders of EU card driver's licenses issued between 1999 and 2001.
The next exchange deadline applies to holders of EU card driver's licenses issued between 2002 and 2004. These licenses must be exchanged for the current EU card driver's license by January 19, 2027, at the latest.
When the current driver's license becomes invalid and must be exchanged beforehand can be determined from the following tables, which can also be found at www.obk.de/eu-fuehrerschein:
Paper Driver's Licenses: Deadlines for Exchange
If you still have a gray or pink paper driver's license, your mandatory exchange deadline depends on your date of birth:
|
Birth Year |
Exchange Deadline |
| before 1953 | January 19, 2033 |
| 1953 - 1958 | January 19, 2022 |
| 1959 - 1964 | January 19, 2023 |
| 1965 - 1970 | January 19, 2024 |
| from 1971 | January 19, 2025 |
Card Driver's Licenses: Deadlines for Exchange
If you already have a card driver's license, the exchange deadline depends on the year it was issued:
| Year of Issue | Exchange Deadline |
| 1999 – 2001 | January 19, 2026 |
| 2002 – 2004 | January 19, 2027 |
| 2005 – 2007 | January 19, 2028 |
| 2008 | January 19, 2029 |
| 2009 | January 19, 2030 |
| 2010 | January 19, 2031 |
| 2011 | January 19, 2032 |
| 2012 – January 18, 2013 | January 19, 2033 |
Notes on Applying
To apply, the driver's license office of the Oberbergischer Kreis must be visited during a previously scheduled online appointment at termine.obk.de at the Road Traffic Office, Kölner Str. 235, 51645 Gummersbach-Niederseßmar.
Even easier: Residents of Bergneustadt, Engelskirchen, Hückeswagen, Lindlar, Marienheide, Morsbach, Nümbrecht, Radevormwald, Reichshof, Waldbröl, Wiehl, and Wipperfürth can also apply for the driver's license exchange at the citizens' offices of their respective municipalities.
The driver's license exchange can also be applied for online. For more information on the application process, visit www.obk.de/eu-fuehrerschein.
Holders of a driver's license who fail to exchange their license by the applicable deadline must expect a fine in case of a police check. Additionally, this could lead to problems, especially when driving abroad or renting a car abroad.
However, the exchange at the driver's license office after the deadline does not incur additional costs.
Important Note for Planned Foreign Travel
Those who apply for the driver's license exchange at their municipality's citizens' office or directly at the driver's license office will have their driver's license limited and it will no longer be valid abroad.
Anyone planning to drive abroad or rent a car abroad in the coming weeks or months should consider this when scheduling their appointment.