Exchanging driving licenses in Central Saxony: Now digital and easy!

Exchanging driving licenses in Central Saxony: Now digital and easy!

In Central Saxony there is a fundamental change in the conversion from paper driving licenses to the modern credit card driving license. How Sächsische.de reported, citizens will gradually have to exchange their old driving licenses that were issued in paper format. This happens depending on the age group and is coordinated by the driving license authority of the Central Saxony District Office. District Administrator Sven Krüger highlights the upcoming burden on both citizens and employees and announces a digital restructuring of administrative processes in order to simplify the application process.

An important date is July 31, 2024: From this point on, applications to exchange a driver's license can only be submitted in person after making an online appointment in advance. The digital application, which is intended for the mandatory exchange and the initial issuance of the driving license, should finally be available in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Requirements and processes

A user account with BundID is required for a successful application. The collection of the new driving license is also scheduled; While an appointment is necessary for a mandatory exchange, when you receive your driving license for the first time, it can be sent home. To exchange, applicants must bring a valid identification document, their current driver's license and a biometric photo. For oldies such as the paper driving license, an index card copy or the VK30 card may also be added if the driving license was issued outside of Central Saxony.

In 2024, around 9,400 driving licenses have already been exchanged. One thing is certain: card driving licenses issued between 1999 and 2001 are due for exchange by January 19, 2026. As part of the exchange, all EU driving licenses issued before 2013 must be exchanged by January 19, 2033, so BMV.de. Around 42 million driving licenses are affected in Germany, making the exchange a significant project.

Reforms at EU level

Another aspect that is becoming increasingly important is the reform of the EU driving license rules. The new rules, recently agreed by European Parliament and Council negotiators, aim to improve road safety in the EU. Every year almost 20,000 people in the European Union lose their lives in traffic. The new regulations will, among other things, introduce a digital driving license that can be accessed via an EU-wide digital wallet. The aim is to better prepare drivers for real-world traffic situations, including increased risk awareness for vulnerable road users such as EU website emphasized.

The new regulations, which, among other things, provide for a probationary period for novice drivers and stricter measures against drink-driving, are to be transposed into national law in the next few years. For now, the EU Commission has 12 months to set technical standards, while national implementation should take place within 54 months of the reforms coming into force.

In summary, citizens in Central Saxony are facing a major change that will not only improve the way they obtain their driver's license, but also contribute to overall road safety. It remains to be seen how quickly these changes can ultimately be implemented in practice.