Validity of driving licences is extended during the state of emergency

Validity of driving licences is extended during the state of emergency
20/10/2020Press releases

The Ministry of Transport has agreed with the Ministry of the Interior to tolerate the invalid driving licences during the state of emergency declared in the Czech Republic. Drivers can continue to use their expired licences; the licence is considered valid and drivers should not be fined. Furthermore, the Ministry proposes to extend the validity of driving licences until 31 March 2021.

Validity of driving licences is extended during the state of emergency
“Provided that the validity of licences (driving licence, driver‘s qualification card) has expired during the state of emergency, these licences are considered valid. The licences’ holders should not be sanctioned in a proceeding for an activity conducted with a licence, which expired during the state of emergency”, states the ministry’s methodology opinion submitted to the municipal authorities with extended powers and regional authorities.

This measure is valid only during the state of emergency and on the territory of the Czech Republic. The Ministry of Transport negotiates with the European Commission on a proposal to extend the validity of expired driving licences until 31 March 2021.

The authorities should make use of reservation systems

Last week, the Ministry of the Interior reminded the 206 municipalities with extended powers and regional authorities they do not have to restrict their office hours should it jeopardise the authority’s work or unreasonably limit the rights of public.

Each authority may decide which measures to adopt, e.g. use of reservation systems to limit queues and comply with the hygienic conditions (especially keeping distance) related to the precautionary measures during the pandemic.

Information about the exchange of driving licences

  • If your driving licence has expired, you do not have to exchange it for journeys in the Czech Republic.
  • If you need a new driving licence, please, use the authorities’ reservation systems.
  • You can request an exchange of your driving licence up to 3 months ahead.
  • You can request an exchange of your driving licence in any municipality with extended powers. You can find a map on the ministry’s website.
  • You can get information about the end of your licence’s validity via Citizen Portal.
  • To exchange your licence, you need to bring a valid ID card and the current driving licence. When submitting an application, you do not need to submit a photo. The photo will be taken on the spot or the officer will download your current photo from registers maintained by the Ministry of the Interior. 
  • If a driver requests issuance of a licence within 5 working days, the exchange will cost CZK 700. Regular exchange is free of charge. The legal deadline is within 20 days. The licence is usually ready within 14 days. 
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