Replace driver card due to loss
Service description
The driver card is used to record driving times and rest periods for the commercial transportation of goods and passengers.
If you are a driver of a truck or bus and have lost your driver card, you can apply for a replacement card from the office responsible for you.
From the time of loss, you may continue to drive without a valid driver card for a maximum of 15 days until you receive a replacement driver card. As long as you are not in possession of your driver card, you must record the driving and rest periods manually. You must make printouts from the digital tachograph and carry them with you.
The replacement driver card is valid until the same date as the lost original card - if this would have been valid for more than 6 months. The period of validity therefore does not start again from the beginning.
When the replacement card is issued, the previous card loses its validity. If you do find it again, you must return the driver card to the responsible office or the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). You may not continue to use it.
Your employer is not obliged to reimburse you for the cost of the driver card.
Responsible body
District administrations or city administrations of the independent and large district cities
Prerequisites
- You are resident in the Federal Republic of Germany.
- You have a valid driver's license with one of the following categories: B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE.
- Your valid driving license must correspond to one of the aforementioned categories if it was issued in an EEA member state.
What documents are required?
- Application for a replacement driver card
- Proof of identity
- Valid domestic driving license or driving license from a country of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)
- Authorizes the holder to drive vehicles for which regulations on driving times and rest periods must be observed
- Proof of residence in Germany and address
- Proof of birth and surname, first names, date and place of birth
- Photograph against a light background, 35 mm x 45 mm in size, showing a frontal view of the applicant without headgear (biometric passport photo)
- written declaration of loss
- The issuing authority may also require the holder of the driver card to make an affidavit stating that he/she is unable to return the driver card and for what reasons
What deadlines do I have to observe?
You must apply for a replacement card within 7 days of losing it.
Application deadline: 7 working days
Processing time
Once the application has been submitted and checked, the competent authority will issue your card within 8 working days.
Deadline: 8 working days
Legal basis
What else should I know?
There are no indications or special features.