Who is next in line for the driver's license exchange - Millions of German drivers risk fines for missing EU licence deadlines
German drivers are falling behind on updating their licences to the new EU-standard card format. The process began in 2022, but many are missing their deadlines. Cities like Münster, Cologne and Dortmund show particularly low exchange rates despite looming fines.
The German government set a rule that all driving licences issued before 2013 must be replaced by 2033. Deadlines are staggered by issue date, with the next cutoff on January 19 for licences from 1999 to 2001. Those who fail to update on time risk a €10 warning fine.
In Münster, only around 23,000 of an estimated 76,000 required exchanges have taken place since 2022. Dortmund’s figures are similarly low, with fewer than 40,000 updates out of 177,000 expected. Cologne has seen just under 86,000 exchanges, though statistics suggest 234,000 should have been completed by now. Tracking compliance has proven difficult. No centralised system exists to monitor how many drivers are ignoring the deadlines. Local authorities, such as Münster’s traffic office, hold the most accurate records, but these are not publicly available.
The slow uptake means thousands of drivers could face fines in the coming months. With deadlines continuing until 2033, authorities may need to step up reminders. For now, the onus remains on individuals to check their licence status and update before their assigned date.
