Exchanging driving licenses will become mandatory
The EU requirements are not just limited to crooked cucumbers, the next highlight is that in 2019 the EU gave the driver's license a term.
This means that everyone should now take a look at the new deadline by which the good old rag, or the newer credit card versions without a term, must be exchanged for the new EU driving license. These are driving licenses that were issued before January 19, 2013. There are exceptions for driving license holders who were born before 1953; they have until January 19, 2033 to exchange them.
The new EU driving license should now be forgery-proof.
The reason given is to bring a uniform and forgery-proof driving license into circulation, the information from which will be stored in a European database. Now the only question is why it expires after 15 years if it is forgery-proof. This will affect around 43 million citizens who will have to exchange their driving license for around 25 euros.
Year of birth of the driver's license holder
| before 1953 | 19.01.2033 |
| 1953 – 1958 | 19.01.2022 |
| 1959 – 1964 | 19.01.2023 |
| 1965 – 1970 | 19.01.2024 |
| 1971 or later | 19.01.2025 |
Driving licenses issued from January 1, 1999.
| Year of issue | Day of exchanging your driving license |
| 1999 – 2001 | 19.01.2026 |
| 2002 – 2004 | 19.01.2027 |
| 2005 – 2007 | 19.01.2028 |
| 2008 | 19.01.2029 |
| 2009 | 19.01.2030 |
| 2010 | 19.01.31 |
| 2011 | 19.01.2032 |
| 2012 – 18.01.2013 | 19.01.2033 |
Driver's license holders born in 1953 have until January 19, 2033
Harley drivers often travel around the world a lot. If you have to exchange your driving license, you should probably get an international driving license to be on the safe side internationally. Unfortunately, it is only valid for three years, so you should always check your passport and driving license straight away if you are going on a big tour.
Trikes have been classified as motorcycles since 2013
If you want to drive a trike, you have to deal with the relevant key numbers. A or A1 79.03: Trike without trailer and A or A1 79.04: Trike with trailer up to 750 kg. Until 2013 this was covered by the Class 3 driving license, now the A or A1 driving license is required. These key numbers are used today to expand the driving license class. Everything has become complicated, but whether that's really better is another matter.
What do I need for the exchange?
An ID card or passport is required. A biometric passport photo and if you have moved to another district in the meantime after your driving license was issued, you will need the index card copy from the issuing authority. The application should work online at the responsible district administration.
Now comes the time when you have to deal with the new driving license classes. Anyone who still has classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in mind needs to rethink now.
The old class 3 driving license, until December 31, 1998, allowed driving 7.5 tons and trains with up to 3 axles and 18.5 tons.
When exchanging, care must be taken to ensure that the driving license categories are assigned to the new one. There is a vested status regulation, but people over 50 must undergo a medical examination and an eye test if they have a truck driver's license. In the future, the truck driving license must be renewed every 5 years, which also includes the C/CE and Class 3 if the truck is to be driven.
There is a lot to consider when exchanging, further detailed information can be found on the following external sites:
