Changing your driver's license in Luxembourg
Have you just arrived in Luxembourg and have a foreign driver's license? To comply with Luxembourg law, you may need to exchange your driver's license or register it.
By reading this article, you will find out whether you are affected by these requirements and learn about the administrative procedures you need to follow to ensure your driver's license is valid in Luxembourg.
Registration, exchange, or transcription of licenses?
Some holders of foreign driver's licenses register their driver's licenses in Luxembourg. Others exchange their international driver's licenses in Luxembourg or have them transcribed. Why ? What are the rules when you live in Luxembourg and have a foreign driver's license?
Registration and exchange of European driver's licenses
Only holders of a driver's license obtained in a member country of the European Economic Area (EEA) can register or exchange their driver's license. However,they are not required to do so when they arrive in Luxembourg.
This is because driving licenses issued by a member country of the European Economic Area are automatically recognized in Luxembourg.
However, if they wish, holders of a European driver's license may register their foreign license or exchange it for a Luxembourg driver's license.
The application to exchange a driver's license will only be mandatory in the event of an offense that has resulted in a restriction or suspension of the driver's license. This is also the case when a license is revoked or points are lost.
However, in the event of loss or theft of their driver's license, holders of a license registered in Luxembourg or exchanged for a Luxembourg license can more easily obtain a duplicate from the SNCA. They will not be required to contact the authorities in the country that issued their original driver's license.
Registering a driver's license is free of charge. The cost of exchanging a license is €30. These formalities for exchanging or registering a driver's license must be completed at the SNCA.
Transcription or conversion of non-EU driving licenses
Conversely, individuals who obtained their driver's license in a country outside the European Economic Area must convert their driver's license in Luxembourg. They have one year after establishing their normal residence in Luxembourg to do so. The transcription of a license costs €30. It is done at the SNCA.
Depending on the category of driving license, the Luxembourg authorities may or may not require an additional test.
Failure to comply with this regulation regarding the transcription of a foreign driver's license will result in a fine of €74 in the event of a check.
Training course for young foreign drivers in Luxembourg
All young drivers who hold a foreign category B driver's license at the time of taking up residence in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg must attend a training course. This one-day course takes place at the Training Center in Colmar-Berg.
This legal requirement applies to all driver's licenses issued less than two years ago, whether or not they were issued in the European Economic Area. More information on the training course for young drivers.
How to register, exchange, or convert your driver's license?
Registering your European driver's license in Luxembourg
The procedure for registering your European driver's license is very simple. Just send the form available online at guichet.lu to the relevant SNCA department by email or post. The application must be accompanied by a copy of your foreign driver's license and a valid identity document. The registration application is free of charge. Documents can also be submitted to the Guichet.lu reception desk at 11 Rue Notre-Dame in Luxembourg.
Exchange and transcription of your driver's license
The exchange and transcription of your driving license can be done immediately upon arrival in Luxembourg.
Exchanging your license is not mandatory, except in special cases of suspension, and can be done at any time. However, the transcription of a non-European Union driver's license must be done within one year of taking up residence in the Grand Duchy.
During this year, the holder of a foreign license may nevertheless drive freely in the Grand Duchy. However,they will be subject to checks and penalties if they exceed the imposed time limits.
To exchange or transcribe their license and obtain a Luxembourg driver's license, drivers must submit an application to the SNCA in Sandweiler.
Procedure for exchanging your European driver's license
To exchange your foreign driver's license for a Luxembourg license, you must provide:
- a valid photocopy of both sides of your foreign driver's license,
- a recent passport photo,
- a certificate of residence dated within the last month, obtained from your local municipal authority,
- a photocopy of a valid identity document
- a copy of your Luxembourg criminal record (bulletin n°4) dated within the last three months
- a €30 stamp duty (seethe Registration, Domains, and VAT Administration)
You will be required to surrender your foreign driver's license, which will be returned to the authorities of the country of issue.
Procedure for converting a non-European driver's license
To convert your foreign driver's license to a Luxembourg driver's license, you must provide the following documents in addition to those listed above:
- a medical certificate issued within the last 3 months by a licensed doctor
- a criminal record extract from your country of origin.
Your foreign driver's license will be returned to the authorities of the country of issue.
Validity and renewal of the Luxembourg driver's license
Finally, once your driver's license has been exchanged or converted, don't forget to check its validity period. In Luxembourg, the validity period of a driver's license depends on its category and date of issue. Even though the SNCA will often notify you when it is time to renew your license, be sure to stay informed!
Would you like to drive your car in Luxembourg? Make sure your vehicle is in compliance with administrative requirements and that you follow the rules of the road in Luxembourg.
Articles de la catégorie Mobilité au Luxembourg
Electric vehicle subsidies: grants
The Luxembourg government actively encourages the adoption of electric vehicles by offering financial assistance and tax benefits. These incentives help reduce the price gap between traditional vehicles and those with low CO2 emissions, thereby facilitating the transition to greener mobility.
Rules of conduct
Have you just arrived in Luxembourg with or even without your car? Driving licenses, driving rules, administrative procedures for your car... Here are a few things you absolutely must know if you want to drive a car or a two-wheeler in Luxembourg!
The must-attend ACL day for motorcyclists
In order to promote safety rules and enable new (or more experienced) motorcyclists to learn or relearn how to handle their vehicles, ACL organizes motorcycle riding improvement workshops. And in June, I signed up, much to my delight!