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Driving licence - exchange when changing name

If your name has changed, you can exchange your old driving licence. There is no obligation to exchange your licence.

If you keep your old driving licence, you will have to identify yourself with your identity card or passport if you are checked.

Please note: For drivingtrips abroad, however, it may make sense to have your driving licence exchanged.

Please note: Driving licences issued from 19 January 2013 are limited to 15 years. However, the time limit only applies to the driving licence document. It must be renewed every 15 years. Regular medical examinations or other tests are not associated with the document exchange.

Related forms and processes

Prerequisite

Name change

Responsible department

the driving licence office of your place of residence

Is the driving licence office,

  • if you live in an urban district: the city administration
  • if you live in a rural district: the district administration office

Procedure

The application must be submitted in writing to the driving licence office in your place of residence or, if offered by the competent authority, as an online application. If you apply in writing, you can obtain the application form from the driving licence office. You can also submit the written application including the required evidence and documents there.

For the online application, please use the link on this page. You can upload the required evidence and documents as file attachments as part of the online application.

You will receive a new card driving licence ("EU driving licence").

The driving licence can aother person can also collect the driving licence from you with written authorisation.

If you submit all the necessary documents, the relevant office can send you the driving licence by post if you wish. Otherwise, you will be notified that you can collect your drivingdriving licence from the driving licence office.

You can apply for an express order for an extra fee. This will shorten the waiting time for your new driving licence. Please contact your local authority for more information.

Deadlines

none

Required documents

  • Identity card or passport
  • old driving licence
  • a biometric passport photo
  • Proof of the change of name
  • if you do not yet have a driving licence: additionally
    Extract from the local driving licence register ("index card copy") if the driving licence was not issued in the area of validity of the competent authority

Costs

  • Exchange of driving licence for a card driving licence due to change of data (for old grey or pink driving licences): EUR 25.30
  • Exchange of driving licence due to data change (for card driving licences): usually EUR 10.00
  • Extract from the local driving licence register ("card copy"): none

Miscellaneous

none

Appeal

Objection

You can obtain information on how to lodge an objection (form and deadline) from the responsible office (driving licence office at your place of residence)

Legal basis

Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV)

  • § 21 Antrag auf Erteilung
  • § 25 Meldepflichten

Release note

machine generated, based on the German release by: Verkehrsministerium Baden-Württemberg, 03.05.2024