Applying for a new driver's license due to theft, illegibility or loss
Source: Serviceportal Rheinland-PfalzIf your driving license has been lost or destroyed, for example due to theft, illegibility or loss, you will need a new driving license unless you waive your right to drive. If you do not report the loss of your driving license immediately and apply for a replacement document, you are committing an administrative offence.
If your name has changed, you do not have to have a new driving license issued. However, it may be useful to be in possession of an EU driving license with up-to-date information, especially when driving abroad. If you wish to change the name on your driving license, you will be issued with a new card driving license upon request.
To obtain a replacement driver's license, you must submit a formal application directly to the driving license authority. In the event of loss, an affidavit (declaration in lieu of an oath) is required. You can submit this to a notary or here at the office. In the event of theft, please submit the theft report. In this case, no further affidavit is required. If the driver's license was not issued by the Mainz city administration, a copy of the index card from the issuing authority is required.
Application:
- Personal appearance required (due to identification and signature)
Requirements:
- The applicant is in possession of a valid driver's license, but the whereabouts of the license are not clearly known
(the driver's license has not been seized, confiscated, officially or provisionally withdrawn, there is no judicial driving ban) - The main residence is in Mainz
Affidavit in lieu of an oath
The person holding the driver's license declares that
- the whereabouts of the driver's license are not clearly known
- the driver's license has not been seized, confiscated or officially withdrawn or provisionally withdrawn
- that no driving ban has been imposed by a court.
In addition, a declaration must be made that the person is aware that he/she may only hold one copy of the driving license. If the lost driving license is found, the holder declares that he/she will return it to the driving license authority immediately.
Before making the affirmation in lieu of an oath, the person holding the driving license will be informed of the legal significance of an affirmation in lieu of an oath.
Excerpt from Section 156 of the German Criminal Code (StGB)
Anyone who makes a false affidavit before an authority responsible for taking an affidavit or makes a false statement on the basis of such an affidavit is liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or a monetary penalty.
Important note
Legally, a distinction must be made between a driving license and a driving permit. The driving license is issued in certain classes. It must be evidenced by an official certificate (driving license). The driver's license must be carried when driving motor vehicles and handed over to the responsible persons for inspection upon request. If a driving license has been lost or destroyed, the previous holder must report the loss immediately and have a replacement document issued, unless he/she renounces the driving license. If the driver's license is not carried, this does not affect the underlying driving license. Driving without a driver's license is therefore only an administrative offense (§ 75 No. 4 Driving License Ordinance). Driving without a license, on the other hand, is a criminal offence.