Only young people can ignore this: the pink and gray driving licenses are expiring. The renewal sometimes requires a visit to the doctor.
Driver’s licenses expire. But don’t worry, many citizens, especially younger ones, are not affected by this. (Source: photographyMK/depositphotos.com)
Do you still have an old paper driving license? Because it’s all about these “old rags” here. This is the colloquial term for driving licenses issued before 1999 that are still made of paper. After that, across the EU, only the driving license was issued in credit card form, which is now widely used and which you may also find in your wallet.
However, the switch from paper to plastic brought with it further innovations that many drivers no longer have in mind these days. The vehicle classes have been renamed and restructured. For example, the “moped class” 1b became A1. The class 3 car driving license now bears the letter “B”.
Driving with a trailer: Medical examination may be required
But many Germans are still clinging to their old driving license rags. There is a strict exchange requirement, which is based on the year of birth.
You can find out exactly how this is staggered and when driving licenses must be exchanged using the ADAC driving license exchange calculator. Many have to exchange their “rag” by January 19, 2024.
Are there any disadvantages when exchanging?
Perhaps some people fear that changing their driving license will entail disadvantages, that they will no longer be allowed to drive vehicles that they were previously legally allowed to drive. But the ADAC makes it clear:
Only the driving license document as such expires after 15 years – but not the driving license classes themselves. Driver license holders who still have the old pink or gray driving license do not have any disadvantages as a result of the exchange.
ADAC
However, this does not apply without restrictions. Anyone who has the old class 3 driving license may still be able to drive trucks with a permissible total weight of 7.5 tonnes and even tow a trailer. Driving articulated trains with a permissible total weight of up to 18.75 tons may then still be permitted.
If this applies to you and you are currently affected by a driver’s license exchange, then this may require you to see a doctor. Because the so-called “temporary class 3” corresponds to today’s CE truck license with key number 79.
Anyone over 50 who wants to continue driving in this class needs a medical certificate. When you visit the doctor, your general ability to drive will be assessed. In addition, an ophthalmological report is required – regardless of whether the driver’s license has already been exchanged or not. Anyone who drives “normal” cars without a trailer doesn’t have to worry about this and can simply sit in electric cars like the Cyberbeast with over 10,000 Newton meters of torque.
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