Wave of driver's license exchanges rolls towards next deadline
The long-term project to exchange old driving licenses for forgery-proof check cards is continuing in Hesse's driving license authorities. In a few weeks' time, the next deadline for particularly large birth cohorts will expire.
Driving licenses are to be standardized and forgery-proof in the EU by 2033. Around 43 million documents will have to be exchanged nationwide in order 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 will be required to exchange by January 19, 2024.
At the moment, the number of exchange applications is still in the normal range with around 30 applications per day, according to a spokeswoman for the city of Wiesbaden. "However, it is possible that we will see an increase in applications in the coming weeks." As the state capital offers the exchange online, a personal visit to the authority is no longer necessary. "At the same time, we are offering a contingent of appointments in person," said the spokesperson.
In Wiesbaden, a total of almost 7,000 applications to exchange a driver's license were submitted in 2022. By October 31 of this year, more than 5,100 applications had been submitted - of which just under 1,300 were submitted online.
"The demand for appointments is still high," explained a spokeswoman for the city of Kassel. In 2023, 30 percent of driving licenses were exchanged via the online service. In order to cope with the wave of exchanges, new jobs have been created and opening hours have been extended.
"The measures introduced have significantly reduced the lead time for appointments to four weeks," explained the spokeswoman. Emergency appointments are offered on an individual basis. With a view to the upcoming deadline in January, the city of Kassel is expecting a very high volume around the turn of the year, she added. "Thanks to the increase in staff, the extension of opening hours and explicitly by offering the online service, the exchange of driving licenses in Kassel is going well."
The driving license office at the Frankfurt am Main public order office is currently very busy, a spokesperson said. This is why it is being supported by additional staff. "In addition, the process for exchanging driving licenses has been optimized so that only one appointment at the office is necessary." The current lead time for an appointment is around two to three weeks.
Backlogs are currently being reduced at the driving license authority in Darmstadt, the city administration explained. There is currently no increase in requests for appointments for the exchange. The current processing time for applications is around two to three months. The number of exchange applications is permanently high, it said.
Municipalities across Hesse are prepared for an increase in driver's license exchange applications as the next deadline approaches. Authorities are working closely with local municipalities to ensure smooth operations and accommodate the high demand.
Source: www.dpa.com
