Exchanging Your Foreign Driving Licence in Luxembourg

Just moved to Luxembourg with a foreign driving licence? The rules differ radically depending on whether your licence was issued in the European Union (or EEA) or in a third country. Here is what the regulations provide, as applied by the SNCA (national road traffic agency).

Licence issued in the EU or EEA

Your licence remains valid in Luxembourg: no exchange is compulsory. You can however have it registered free of charge with the SNCA, which speeds up later procedures (a duplicate in case of loss or theft, for example). A voluntary exchange for a Luxembourg licence is possible at the earliest 185 days after settling, for a 30 euro fee.

Licence issued outside the EU: compulsory transcription

Holders of a third-country licence must apply for the transcription of their licence within one year of establishing their normal residence in Luxembourg. During this first year, you may drive with your original licence. If the application is made within the deadline, the common categories (AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, F) are transcribed without any exam; professional categories (trucks, buses) however require retaking the tests. After the one-year deadline, the theory and practical exams become compulsory again.

The transcription procedure

1. Fill in the application form available on Guichet.lu / SNCA.
2. Gather the documents: original licence, ID, medical certificate less than 3 months old, criminal record extract from your home country (covering 5 years) and a recent Luxembourg record bulletin, 45×35 mm identity photo.
3. Pay the 30 euro fee and attach proof of payment.
4. Submit the file by post or at the SNCA counter (driving licence department).
5. Your foreign licence is handed over to the authorities; you receive the Luxembourg licence.

Summary

Official sources

• Guichet.lu – Registering, exchanging or transcribing a foreign licence
• Transports.lu – Registration, exchange and transcription