A driver card (Fahrerkarte) is valid for up to 5 years. It has to be renewed in a fixed window before it expires, replaced within days if it is lost, and downloaded at least every 28 days. Since 1 July 2026, drivers of vans over 2.5 t in cross-border freight need one too.
Last updated · ExpiryEdge editorial team
A German tachograph driver card is valid for a maximum of 5 years. Drivers must apply for renewal at least 15 working days before it expires, and in Germany can apply at the earliest 6 months before. A lost or stolen card must be replaced within 7 calendar days. The company must download the driver card at least every 28 days and the vehicle unit at least every 90 days.
The dates that matter for drivers and the transport company. All are set by EU Regulation 165/2014 and the German Driver Personnel Ordinance (FPersV).
| Deadline | Rule | Basis | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity of the driver card | Maximum 5 years | VO (EU) 165/2014 Art. 26 | Issuing authority |
| Latest renewal application | At least 15 working days before expiry | VO (EU) 165/2014 Art. 28 (1) | Driver |
| Earliest renewal application in Germany | 6 months before expiry | FPersV § 4 (3) | Driver |
| Lost, stolen or defective card | Apply for a replacement within 7 calendar days; driving without the card allowed for up to 15 days with printouts | VO (EU) 165/2014 Art. 29 | Driver |
| Download of the driver card | At the latest every 28 calendar days | FPersV § 2 (5) | Company |
| Download of the vehicle unit | At the latest every 90 days | FPersV § 2 (5) | Company |
| Vans over 2.5 t in cross-border freight | Smart tachograph and driver card required since 1 July 2026 (own-account exemptions possible) | EU Mobility Package | Company and driver |
No. The 15-day rule for driving without a card applies to cards that are damaged, malfunctioning, lost or stolen, not to cards that have simply expired. Because an expired card cannot be renewed, the driver must make a new first application, which takes time. Renewing inside the window avoids that gap.
It depends on the federal state. Some states issue cards through the driving licence authority, others through appointed bodies such as TÜV or DEKRA, often with an online application. Drivers need ID, a valid driving licence, proof of address and a biometric photo. Fees vary by state.
The company must download the driver card at least every 28 calendar days and the vehicle unit at least every 90 days, and keep backup copies. Many companies download weekly so that a missed week does not breach the 28-day limit.
Since 1 July 2026, vans and combinations over 2.5 t up to 3.5 t used for cross-border freight need a second-generation smart tachograph, and their drivers need a driver card. Own-account transport by companies whose drivers do not drive as their main job can be exempt; check each case.
Take the expiry date from the card for every driver, and the company card for the business.
Start the renewal at the beginning of the window so the new card arrives in time, with further reminders at 60 and 30 days.
If the application has not been made by about 3 weeks before expiry, the fleet manager steps in.
Set recurring reminders for the 28-day driver card download and the 90-day vehicle unit download, and record each one.
Collect a copy of the new card and update the expiry date so the cycle starts again.
Each driver card is a record with its expiry date. ExpiryEdge reminds the driver by SMS or WhatsApp 6 months, 60 and 30 days before, and the fleet manager by email or Teams. If nothing has happened 15 working days before expiry, it escalates. Driving licence, professional driver training (BKrFQG) and ADR certificates sit on the same driver record.
Reminders by SMS or WhatsApp
Escalation to the fleet manager
All driver documents on one record
ExpiryEdge does not read tachograph data. It reminds the responsible person that the 28-day and 90-day downloads are due and records when they were done. When the new card arrives, the driver uploads a photo through a link, without an account.
Recurring 28-day and 90-day reminders
No-login upload of the new card
Timestamped record of each step
For a maximum of 5 years. The expiry date is printed on the card.
The application must be made at least 15 working days before expiry. In Germany, it can be made at the earliest 6 months before expiry.
An expired card cannot be renewed; the driver must make a new first application. Driving a tachograph vehicle without a valid card is not allowed; the 15-day exception covers only damaged, malfunctioning, lost or stolen cards.
Apply for a replacement within 7 calendar days. The driver may continue for up to 15 days, recording the required data on printouts.
At the latest every 28 calendar days. The vehicle unit must be downloaded at the latest every 90 days (FPersV section 2 (5)).
Since 1 July 2026, vehicles over 2.5 t up to 3.5 t used for cross-border freight need a smart tachograph, so their drivers need a driver card. Purely domestic transport and some own-account transport are not affected.
Import your drivers and card expiry dates, set reminders by SMS or WhatsApp. Free 14-day trial, no credit card.
