3.6 Million Austrians Must Exchange Their Driving Licences

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Austria is preparing to replace millions of old paper driving licences as a mandatory EU-backed exchange deadline approaches.

Around 3.6 million paper driving licences are still in circulation across Austria, according to the Ministry of Transport. The requirement affects licences that were issued before January 19, 2013, and holders will need to replace them with modern card-format licences by the beginning of 2033.

Mandatory Exchange by 2033

The replacement programme stems from a European Union decision adopted in 2006, which called for the gradual introduction of a standardized driving licence format across member states. The old paper documents are being phased out in favor of a more secure, credit card-sized licence.

Unlike Germany, Austria has decided against introducing a staggered timetable based on age groups or year of issue. Instead, all affected licence holders have until early 2033 to complete the exchange.

The Ministry of Transport said it plans to inform citizens well in advance of the deadline. Officials argue that a national step-by-step schedule would effectively shorten the 20-year validity period provided for under EU regulations.

Motorists’ Association Calls for Faster Action

However, the Austrian motoring organization ÖAMTC has criticized the government’s approach. The mobility club described the current strategy as a case of “typically Austrian waiting” and urged authorities to begin informing affected licence holders more actively.

The Ministry acknowledged that it is difficult to determine exactly how many of the old paper licences remain valid. Many of these documents were issued before the introduction of a centralized registration system, making accurate records unavailable.

In addition, officials expect the number of paper licences still in circulation to decline naturally in the coming years. Some licence holders, particularly older drivers, may choose not to renew or convert their driving credentials.

Exchange Costs €73

Drivers who still possess a paper licence will need to pay €73 to obtain the new card-format document.

The Ministry of Transport has emphasized that licence holders are responsible for ensuring they complete the exchange before the deadline. Authorities are urging drivers not to wait until the last moment, as millions of people are expected to be affected by the nationwide replacement programme.

With more than three million paper licences yet to be replaced, Austria faces one of its largest administrative document exchange efforts in recent years as it moves toward full compliance with EU standards by 2033.