Need to change your driver's license to drive in Luxembourg?

It's official! You are now a resident of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. You have taken care of all the formalities to settle in under the best conditions. But now you have one last concern.

In addition to insuring and registering your vehicle, you now need to have your driver's license validated so that you can drive legally and safely in Luxembourg.
Here you will find everything you need to know about registering your driver's license in your new place of residence, whether you obtained it in a European Union country... or not!

Register your EU driver's license

European driver's licenses are recognized throughout the European Union

Good news! Your driver's license is valid in Luxembourg if it was issued by a member country of the European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA). Mutual recognition between member states makes the process easier for you. Itallows youto insure your car without having to go through the local authorities to exchange your license. Thank you, Europe!

Nevertheless, we advise you to at least register your foreign driver's license. This will save you trouble, especially in the event of loss or theft.

What to do if your driver's license is lost or stolen?

Have you lost your driver's license or had it stolen? That's unfortunate... You will need to find another means of transportation because you will no longer be able to drive in Luxembourg. Even if you have reported the loss or theft to the relevant authorities, this will not be enough to continue driving in Luxembourg without your driver's license.

Your only solution is to contact the country that issued your driver's license. You can then obtain a certificate confirming that you have a driver's license. The vehicle category, date of issue, and date of validity of the license must appear on this document for it to be considered valid.

To save yourself this administrative hassle in the event of bad luck, we advise you to plan ahead! To do so, register your license with the Grand Duchy's authorities or exchange it for a Luxembourg license.

Registering your driver's license in Luxembourg: what steps do you need to take?

Would you like to register your EU license and convert it into a Luxembourg license? Nothing could be simpler! All you have to do is register it with the driver's license department of the Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile (SNCA) in Sandweiler.

If you have registered your driver's license in Luxembourg, the SNCA will issue you with a duplicate free of charge. This will give you the right to drive in the Grand Duchy. To register your driver's license, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Your transcription application form (downloadable from their website)
• Your ID
• A certified copy of your driver's license

The consequences of registering your driver's license in Luxembourg

Once your driver's license has been registered, Luxembourg law applies.

Firstly, you will have 12 points on your Luxembourg license. These points may be deducted in the event of a traffic violation .

Secondly, your Luxembourg driver's license is valid for a period of 10 years until the age of 70. After this age, it will be renewed for a period of 5 years. Then 2 years after the age of 80. Each time, you will receive a letter from the SNCA inviting you to renew it when it expires.

Exchange your driver's license obtained outside the European Union

Obligation to exchange driving licenses obtained outside the EU

The following information is important for drivers who obtained their driver's license outside the European Union or the European Economic Area.

If you want to continue driving in the Grand Duchy, you are required to exchange your foreign license for a Luxembourg license.

Transcription of your driver's license: what steps do you need to take?

To drive in Luxembourg with a foreign license from outside the EU, you must transcribe your driver's license. You have one year to complete the necessary steps after moving to Luxembourg.

The procedure is the same as for a license obtained in the EU, with one difference: you must apply for a transcription instead of an exchange.

To do this, contact the SNCA. The cost of transcribing your license is €30. You will need to provide the following documents:

• Your transcription application form (downloadable from their website)
• Your identity document
• A certified copy of your driver's license
• A criminal record extract from Luxembourg
• Proof of your place of residence.

Driver's license and bonus: useful information

How does the "virtual license" work in Luxembourg?

Drivers who travel on the roads of the Grand Duchy and hold a foreign European license benefit from a total of 12 virtual points.

In the event of a traffic violation in Luxembourg, points may be deducted from this virtual license. The number of points deducted depends on the violation committed. When the number of points reaches zero, the license holder will no longer be allowed to drive in Luxembourg. They will then have to retake their driver's license test.

How can you keep your insurance bonus?

Even if you move to another country and therefore change your car insurance, you are not considered a young driver. You can logically keep your car insurance bonus! Our insurance partner AXA Luxembourg offers you a fair car insurance rate based on your years of experience. This means you can keep the bonus you have earned in your country of origin.

On to new adventures! You now have all the information you need to have your license recognized in Luxembourg.

To learn more about the differences and requirements between the various driver's licenses, check out our comprehensive guide to the driver's license renewal process in Luxembourg.