Authorities - Many driver's license exchanges expected again
In the driving license authorities in Rhineland-Palatinate, the long-term project for the exchange of old driving licenses for forgery-proof check cards is entering the next round. In a few weeks' time, the next deadline for particularly baby boomers will end. However, it is not yet possible to apply online in the federal state. The municipal administrations are expecting an increase in applications before the deadline - in some cases, applicants have to wait until they get an appointment.
Why is the exchange necessary?
Driving licenses are to become standardized and forgery-proof in the EU by 2033. Around 43 million documents will have to be exchanged nationwide to bring them all into the credit card format that will then only be valid. This generally affects all driving licenses for cars and motorcycles that were issued before January 19, 2013.
All people born between 1953 and 1958 had to exchange their paper driving license for an EU card driving license by 19 January 2022. Those born between 1959 and 1964 had until January 19 of this year. Those born between 1965 and 1970 now have until January 19, 2024 to exchange.
What the city councils say
So far this year, 3170 exchange applications have been received in Mainz, according to a spokesperson. "We expect the number of applications to increase significantly again in January 2024, as is always the case when a deadline ends," it continued. In addition to the driving license office, the citizens' office also accepts applications.
An appointment currently requires a lead time of around two to four weeks. However, if canceled appointments become available, it can sometimes be quicker. The capacities for processing are therefore generally sufficient: Two additional positions have been created. However, it is not yet possible to predict how many driving licenses from the different years still need to be exchanged and when they will arrive.
In Koblenz, there is currently a significant increase in applications, according to a city spokesperson. Two additional positions were initially created to process the applications. However, these are currently vacant. "The online appointment system is fully booked for weeks, but requests by phone or email can often be processed from one day to the next due to appointment cancellations," it continued.
The city of Trier has recorded 2053 applications so far this year, with a peak of 437 in January - shortly before the end of the last deadline. The application process seems to be less bureaucratic: according to a spokesperson for the city, you have to wait an average of two to four days for an appointment in Trier, and sometimes you can get one on the same day. There is enough staff to process the applications, she said.
Landau in der Pfalz currently receives around 45 applications a week. "The number has doubled or in some cases tripled in the past three months," said a spokeswoman. "There is currently sufficient capacity, as we increased one half-time position to a full-time position at the start of the exchange campaign." People currently have to wait around 14 days for an appointment.
Info page state government on driving license exchange
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- The digitization of driving licenses is a long-term project aimed at making them forgery-proof in the EU by 2033, which involves exchanging over 43 million documents across the EU, including those issued to motorists in Rhineland-Palatinate before 2013.
- In the city of Mainz, where an increase in applications is expected as the 2024 deadline for baby boomers approaches, the municipalities are preparing for an influx of applications for the exchange of old driving licenses for EU-compliant cards.
- The process of exchanging driving licenses for EU-compliant cards is a necessity due to the EU's requirement for standardized and forgery-proof driving licenses across all EU member states by 2033.
- To prevent long wait times for appointments, many municipalities, such as Mainz, have created additional positions to process the increased number of applications, and some cities, like Trier, have reduced the waiting time for appointments to an average of two to four days.
- The digitization of driving licenses and the exchange of old licenses for EU-compliant cards also impact traffic authorities, as motorists will need to update their driving licenses, potentially leading to an increase in road safety and adherence to EU traffic regulations.
Source: www.stern.de
