The driver card is used to record driving and rest times in commercial goods and passenger transport. 

If you are a truck or bus driver and have lost your driver card, you can apply for a replacement card from the relevant authority.

From the time of loss, you may continue driving without a valid driver card for a maximum of 15 days until you receive the replacement driver card. As long as you are not in possession of your driver card, you must record your driving and rest times manually. You must also make printouts from the digital tachograph and carry them with you. 

The replacement driver card is valid until the same date as the original card that was lost – if it would have been valid for more than 6 months. The validity period does not start again from the beginning.

Once the replacement card has been issued, the previous card loses its validity. If you do find the original card again, you must return the driver card to the relevant authority 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. 

• You are resident in the Federal Republic of Germany.
• You hold a valid driver's license in one of the following categories: B, BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE.
• Your valid driver's license must correspond to one of the above classes if it was issued in an EEA member state.

There are no notes or special features.    

• Application deadline: 7 business days You must apply
  for a replacement card within 7 days of losing your card.

• 8 working days
  After submitting your application and reviewing it, the competent authority will issue your card within 8 working days.

District administrations or municipal administrations of independent cities and large district-affiliated cities

• Application for a replacement driver card 
• Proof of identity
• Valid domestic driver's license or driver's license from a country in the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Entitles the holder to drive vehicles for which regulations on driving and rest times must be observed
• Proof of residence in Germany and address
• Proof of surname, first name, date and place of birth
• Photograph against a light background, 35 mm x 45 mm in size, showing the applicant without head covering in a frontal view (biometric passport photo)
• Written statement regarding the loss
• The issuing authority may also require the holder of the driver card to make a sworn statement that they cannot return the driver card and the reasons why. 

Cash / EC