Lost driving licence in Germany: your next practical steps

1. Check carefully, then record the loss

Before applying, check the places where the card may reasonably be: bags, vehicles, previous accommodation and lost-property offices. If it cannot be found, note when and where you last had it. This gives you a clear account for the authority and can help if the card is later recovered.

Do not publish photographs of a driving licence or its number online while looking for it. The document contains personal information. If someone contacts you about a found card, use a safe, verifiable way to recover it.

2. If you believe it was stolen, report the theft

Where theft is suspected, contact the police and keep the report or reference number. The licensing authority may ask for information about the report when you apply for a replacement. A police report does not itself replace the driving licence; it is evidence of the incident.

If the card was lost abroad, contact the local police or consular information service as appropriate, then ask your German authority how it wants the replacement process handled. Travel and identity rules can differ from the domestic process.

3. Apply with the authority responsible for your residence

The responsible Führerscheinstelle is normally the authority for your registered place of residence. Its website should show the current appointment process, fee, photograph specification and document list. Bring only the originals and records requested by that authority.

Typical evidence can include proof of identity, a biometric photograph and a declaration or report about the loss. Older licences or a licence first issued by a different authority can require additional record checks. Ask before attending if your case involves a foreign licence, an exchange procedure or older paper documents.

Processing times and any temporary confirmation vary locally. Do not assume a receipt lets you drive in every situation. Ask the authority specifically what document will be issued, its scope and how long it is valid.

4. Separate the replacement process from the question of driving

Being entitled to hold a licence is not the same as having the physical document available to present. If you need to drive, ask the authority what evidence is accepted while the replacement is being processed. For travel, car hire and border checks, a temporary local document may not be enough.

Do not rely on a scan, a photo or an expired card as a universal substitute. Rental companies and foreign authorities set their own requirements. If travel is planned soon, check those requirements before you book a vehicle.

5. Avoid preventable delays

• Use the authority for your registered residence, not a random office.
• Check whether an appointment is mandatory before travelling there.
• Use a current biometric photograph if one is required.
• Take a theft report or loss information when applicable.
• Tell the authority about foreign-licence exchanges or old paper licences.
• Ask what happens if the original card is found after replacement.

Use your municipality’s official licensing page for the exact documents, fee and appointment route. The Federal Portal’s replacement-licence information is also a useful starting point. Local rules and processes may change.

Last reviewed: 28 October 2026. This page is a preparation guide; the responsible licensing authority decides each application.