Attention: It is urgently necessary to exchange your driving license by January 2026!

Attention: It is urgently necessary to exchange your driving license by January 2026!

The countdown is on: If you haven't exchanged your driver's license in the last few years, you should hurry up. The Northeim district is now preparing for the upcoming deadlineJanuary 19, 2026Attention, where all holders of credit card driving licenses issued between 1999 and 2001 must take action. This is a step towards a uniform, forgery-proof driving license, which is based on an EU directive. Loud HNA Around 43 million driving licenses in Germany will have to be exchanged by 2033, a huge effort that should be well planned.

The legal goal is clear: it is about a uniform and forgery-proof design of the driving license. If you think you still have time, you should know: the exchange periods are staggered. Driving licenses valid untilJanuary 19, 2013issued must be exchanged by a specified date. For example, those whose driving license is between1999 and 2001was issued, will become active until January 19, 2026, while driving licenses from the years2002 to 2004must be exchanged by 2027 and so on. For people who are before1953were born, a special regulation applies: you have until January 19, 2033, regardless of the year of issue. This information comes from the Federal Government.

Important documents for exchange

In order to carry out the exchange smoothly, some documents are necessary. This is how applicants should get theirsID card or passport(with confirmation of registration), abiometric passport photoand bring your previous driving license with you. The cost of the exchange is approx26.50 eurosfor personal collection and on32.80 euros, if the new driver's license is sent via direct mail. Applications are accepted daily at the driving license offices in the Northeim district, with the best chances being between 8 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. on Tuesdays in particular, as most applications are processed then. The exact information can also be found at landkreis-northeim.de/fuehrerscheinumtausch.

Anyone who misses the deadline will face fines. Loud ADAC In this case, warning fines of up to 10 euros are due, and there could be difficulties abroad, especially when renting vehicles with an unreplaced driving license.

The outlook for the next generation of driving licenses

The new version of the driving license will not only be more uniform, but also safer. After 15 years, these new credit card driving licenses can be renewed again without the need for a new driving test or health examinations. This regulation is part of an EU-wide initiative to protect against counterfeiting and is intended to last untilJanuary 19, 2033be completed.

It's time to take care of it. Anyone who has not yet exchanged their driving license should take the deadlines seriously and take the necessary steps in good time. This way you stay on the safe side and can drive from A to B without any worries.