These Lower Saxony residents need a new driver's license - Lower Saxony drivers risk fines over outdated EU licence rules
Thousands of drivers in Lower Saxony face fines if they don’t swap their old licences soon. The EU now requires modern, tamper-proof cards, meaning older paper-style permits will no longer be valid. Many motorists have just weeks left to make the change.
Licences issued between 1999 and 2001 must be exchanged by January 2026. Those issued from 2002 to 2004 have until January 2027. Drivers born before 1953, however, have until 2033 to update theirs.
Older pink or grey booklet-style licences are already invalid. Anyone caught driving with an expired permit risks fines from police. The exchange process requires an old licence, a valid ID or passport, a recent biometric photo, and—if holding a paper licence—a driver’s record extract.
The base fee for the exchange is €26.50, with extra charges for direct delivery. While newer licence holders aren’t yet forced to replace theirs, officials advise doing so early to avoid last-minute delays.
The shift to EU-compliant licences aims to reduce fraud and standardise permits across member states. Drivers who miss their deadline will need to act quickly to stay legal on the road. No regional exceptions apply in Lower Saxony, so all affected motorists must follow the same rules.
