Old Driving Licenses Valid Until 2033 At The Latest
Old Driving Licenses Valid Until 2033 At The Latest

Video: Old Driving Licenses Valid Until 2033 At The Latest

Video: Old Driving Licenses Valid Until 2033 At The Latest
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The time of the gray and pink driver's licenses is running out. Depending on the age, there are different time limits as to when the cloths must be exchanged for a driver's license in credit card format.

Some still have it, the pink rag. And some may even have their predecessor in mouse gray. The thick official paper has become supple over the years and we usually have to smile at the photo, because it shows an ego from a long time ago. However, the days of the "old" driver's licenses are numbered. All must be exchanged for the current driver's license in credit card format by 2033 at the latest. However, different deadlines apply depending on the date of issue.

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Uniform format across Europe

In 2013, the rules for driving license documents in Germany were redefined as part of the nationwide driving license directive. The aim of the revised law: Instead of the currently different document formats, from 2033 everyone should only have a driver's license in the uniform EU format as a small credit card. Anyone who is still on the move with the old rag must expect a fine or even a prison sentence of up to a year, according to Section 21 of the Road Traffic Act.

There are currently over 100 different document formats in circulation across the EU. With unrestricted freedom of movement, this presents European officials with a major challenge. At first glance, it is not always immediately apparent during a driver's license check whether the driver's license presented - for example from a citizen from another country - is valid and complies with current standards. That's why all countries are gradually converting to the uniform EU driver's license.

If you want to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and are often traveling abroad, you can exchange your driver's license before the set deadline. Depending on which driving license classes were entered in the "old" driver's license, these are transferred to the new categories. The individual classes are then entered on the back of the new credit card.

Driving license classes for which there is no authorization are crossed out in the field with the date of issue. Anyone who previously had permission for the old class 3 will receive entries for the new classes B, BE, C1 and C1E. People who want to get their driving license today have to take into account the (new) regulations for the individual categories. To drive a vehicle over 3.5 tons or with a trailer over 750 kilograms, a separate permit is required today (BE as well as C1 or C1E). No further theoretical training is required for the “trailer driving license” (BE), but five additional training drives and at the end a 45-minute test drive must be completed.

The regulations at a glance

So that the authorities are not overwhelmed by an exchange threshold shortly before the deadline in January 2033, the individual federal states have now set new deadlines on the advice of the Transport Committee. Depending on the year of birth, some driving licenses have to be exchanged earlier. Here is an overview of the individual deadlines:

- People born before 1953: exchange until 2033

- People born between 1953 and 1958: Exchange until 2021

- People born between 1959 and 1964: Exchange until 2022

- People born between 1965 and 1970: exchange until 2023

- People born after 1971: exchange until 2024

For driving licenses that have been issued since January 1999, separate deadlines apply again:

- Issue date from 1999 to 2000: Exchange until January 2025

- Issue date from 2001 to 2002: Exchange until January 2026

- Issue date from 2003 to 2004: Exchange until January 2027

- Issue date from 2005 to 2006: Exchange until January 2028

- Issue date from 2007 to 2008: Exchange by January 2029

- Issue date in 2009, 2020 and 2011: Exchange by January 2030, 2031 and 2032

- Issue date from 2012 to 2013: Exchange by January 2033

New driver's license only valid for a limited period

The old driver's licenses are expiring. Photo: SP-X
The old driver's licenses are expiring. Photo: SP-X

Anyone who used to do their “rag” could in principle drive until their death with this driver's license and the photo from their youth. It was practically unlimited. In the course of the new regulations of January 2013, however, it was determined that the new driver's license is only valid for 15 years from the date of issue.

Similar to the identity card, the document must then be renewed regularly. By the way, a biometric passport photo is required for the EU driving license. This means that the driving license also follows the current EU-wide standards.

Special rules for the truck classes

Additional regulations apply to the various classes that are necessary to drive a larger vehicle. In December 2016, a new regulation decided that various driving license classes - such as C1 and C1E - would only be issued for a period of five years. After this time, they can be extended upon presentation of a health examination.

This regulation applies retrospectively to all driving licenses issued after January 19, 2013. Even if a period up to the age of 50 is noted here, the holder of the driving license must return to the office after five years. In the case of an issue date between 1999 and January 18, 2013, however, the time limit applies until the age of 50. Even those who still have a driver's license that was issued by December 1998 still fall under this original period.

For the extension, an ophthalmological report and a doctor's report on the ability to drive must be presented to different classes. The following driving license classes are affected:

- C, CE

- D, D1, D1E and DE

No exchange when moving or getting married

If you move, you have to have the new address changed in your identity card or passport, but your driver's license is not affected. The current home address is not recorded on the document. A change, however, is necessary in the vehicle registration.

For many, it may also be surprising that even if you change your name, for example due to marriage, you do not have to exchange your driver's license. In the event of an inspection, however, everyone should be able to identify themselves with another document - such as an identity card.

Health examination in old age?

A test of fitness to drive appears to be useful. Photo: DVR
A test of fitness to drive appears to be useful. Photo: DVR

Due to the high participation of older road users in accidents, the discussion about a general health check from a certain age arises again and again. Such a regulation has already been introduced in Switzerland. Driving license holders over the age of 70 have to have a doctor checked regularly every two years for their fitness to drive.

Such a general obligation does not yet exist in this country. Only for heavier vehicles has this been introduced with the presentation of health suitability from 50 years for classes C1 and C1E, as well as regularly every five years for classes C, CE and all D classes.

Here, too, the reason for the regular evidence lies in the fact that trucks are involved in traffic accidents more than average. For professional drivers who have a driver card, this will not change anything anyway. You still have to undergo a regular aptitude test and provide evidence of further training if you want to continue using your driver's license and driver card.

Conclusion

Experts welcome the new regulations for driving licenses. After the deadline, the same documents will be available across the EU. In addition, with the obligation to regularly submit a health check for certain classes in response to the growing traffic.

So some believe it is long overdue. Because the traffic on our streets is constantly increasing. The only option left for the legislature is to modernize or tighten ordinances, such as recently with the reform of the awarding of points in the Flensburg traffic offenders register. The driver's license can therefore be withdrawn much faster today. Only those who are actually fit to drive should be allowed to drive a motor vehicle. It remains to be seen to what extent the new regulations will affect accident statistics in the future.

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