Many drivers are still using the old paper driver’s license. These documents have been gradually losing their validity since January 19, 2022—on a staggered basis according to the holder’s year of birth.

When your old paper driver’s license becomes invalid, you must have it replaced with the currently valid standardized European Union (EU) card-style driver’s license.

Even if you hold an older credit-card-style driver’s license, you must exchange it for the new one.

Driver’s licenses issued on or after January 19, 2013, are valid for 15 years. For driver’s licenses issued prior to that date, specific deadlines apply for replacement.

Based on the year of issuance, you can see in the following overview by when you must exchange your driver’s license:

• Before 1953: January 19, 2033
• 1953 to 1998: Deadline has already passed
• 1999 to 2001: January 19, 2026
• 2002 to 2004: January 19, 2027
• 2005 to 2007: January 19, 2028
• 2008: January 19, 2029
• 2009: January 19, 2030
• 2010: January 19, 2031
• 2011: January 19, 2032
• 2012 through January 18, 2013: January 19, 2033

Notes:

• Holders of a driver’s license who were born before 1953 must also exchange their license by January 19, 2033, regardless of the license’s year of issuance.
• The expiration date applies only to the driver’s license document itself, not to the underlying driving privilege. No medical examination or other assessments are required in connection with the document exchange.
• The rights documented on the driver’s license generally remain valid even after the document is exchanged.