Monday, January 19
January 19 marks an important deadline for several drivers who need to exchange their licence under new EU regulations. It used to be that a driver’s license was valid indefinitely, with many motorists owning decades-old, raggedy papers that they got when they were young.
However, EU regulations now state that all driving licences must be uniform, meaning old versions need to be withdrawn from circulation. This change affects old card licenses, as well as paper ones. Part of the reason is the combat forgery, and to keep up with the frequent updates of passport photos and personal data.
To handle the overload of driving licence reissues, the authorities have staggered the procedure according to years. The deadline is always January 19. So, for those whose licenses were issued from 1999 to 2001, the deadline is today.
For those whose licenses were issued from 2002 to 2004, the deadline is 2027; in 2008, the deadline is 2029; in 2009, the deadline is 2030; in 2010, the deadline is 2031; in 2011, the deadline is 2032; and from 2012 to 2013, the deadline is 2033.
Motorists should note that the reissue is mandatory, and that after the deadline, old driving licences are no longer valid. From then on, driving with an invalid license is an administrative offence with a fine of €10.
To exchange your driver’s license, you should make an appointment at any Bürgeramt in Berlin. The appointment should only take a few minutes. The compulsory exchange costs €26.50.
