Driving license; application for a replacement after loss or if unusable

If your driving license has been lost or destroyed, for example due to theft, illegibility or loss, you will need a new driving license unless you waive your right to drive.

If you do not report the loss of your driving license immediately and apply for a replacement document, you are committing an administrative offence.

The replacement driving license must be applied for at your local driving license authority.

Note: You will also receive a temporary card driver's license to replace a paper driver's license. Old pink or gray paper driving licenses are no longer issued.

You must submit your application in person because your signature is required to produce the driving license. The application will be printed for you at the Citizens' Registration Office.

The issue of a replacement driver's license depends on the specific circumstances of the individual case. Please contact the relevant driving license authority in advance to find out which requirements must be met.

At the request of the driving license authority, you must provide an affidavit in lieu of an oath regarding the whereabouts of the document if the driving license is lost or otherwise misplaced. In this declaration, you affirm the accuracy of your statements.

• Copy of the index card from the issuing authority
  If your previous driver's license was not issued in Erlangen. You will receive a copy of the file card from the authority that issued the driver's license upon request.

• Current biometric photograph (frontal view)
• Driver's license that has become unusable (if available)
• Police theft report
  If the driver's license is stolen, the police report may also have to be submitted.
• Affirmation in lieu of an oath
  

  If the driver's license is lost or otherwise misplaced, an affidavit may have to be submitted at the request of the driving license authority, depending on the circumstances of the individual case.

  Please ask your driving license authority about this in advance.

• Fees for the replacement driver's license usually approx. 35 to 40 euros
• plus fees for taking the affidavit, if applicable (€30.70)
• plus any fees for direct mailing (approx. €5)

The Federal Printing Office needs about 3 weeks to produce the driver's license.