It is intended to structure the exchange process and avoid bottlenecks in view of the masses of documents to be exchanged.
The law (Annex 8e to the Driving License Ordinance) introducing the phased plan has come into force. The mandatory exchange of old driving licenses by 19.1.2033 at the latest, as stipulated by EU Directive 2006/126/EC, will be streamlined by introducing a phased plan for individual years of birth or issue.

Specifically, this concerns approx. 15 million (paper) driving licenses issued up to 31.12.1998 and a further approx. 28 million driving licenses issued between 1.1.1999 and 18.1.2013, which must be exchanged. As an application for the exchange of a driving license can only be made in person, it must also be ensured in the interests of citizens that the exchange is possible for individuals without long waiting times.

The reason for the EU directive ordering the exchange is the desire for a uniform, forgery-proof driving license document from 2033 and for all driving licenses to be recorded in a database in order to prevent misuse.

The deadlines that apply and what else needs to be taken into account can be found in two clear pieces of information below. The deadlines for the exchange of old driving licenses have been set by the Federal Council.