Exchange old driver's license for a new one
Source: Serviceportal Rheinland-PfalzMany holders of a driving license are still driving with the old paper license. These documents will gradually lose their validity from 19.01.2022 - staggered according to the holder's year of birth.
When your old paper driving license becomes invalid, you must have it replaced with the currently valid European Union (EU) standard driving license.
As the holder of an older driving license in credit card format, you must also exchange your driving license.
Card driving licenses issued from 19.01.2013 are limited to 15 years. For driving licenses issued before this date, certain deadlines apply for exchanging them.
Based on the year of issue, you can see in the following overview by when you must exchange your driving license:
- Before 1953: 19.01.2033
- 1953 to 1998: deadline has already expired
- 1999 to 2001: 19.01.2026
- 2002 to 2004: 19.01.2027
- 2005 to 2007: 19.01.2028
- 2008: 19.01.2029
- 2009: 19.01.2030
- 2010: 19.01.2031
- 2011: 19.01.2032
- 2012 until 18.01.2013: 19.01.2033
Notes:
- Holders of a driving license whose year of birth is before 1953 must also exchange their driving license by 19.01.2033, regardless of the year of issue of the driving license.
- The respective time limit only affects the driving license document, not the underlying driving license. A medical examination or other checks are not associated with the document exchange.
- The rights documented in the driving license remain in effect even if the document is exchanged.