More Than 450,000 Driving Licences Will Expire in 2026 in the Czech Republic: Authorities Advise Timely Checks Before the Summer

Around half a million driving licences will expire in the Czech Republic this year. A significant increase in demand for renewals is expected, particularly in the coming months.

By the end of this year, more than 451,000 driving licences will need to be renewed in the Czech Republic. A noticeable rise in applications is expected especially during the summer and autumn months. Authorities therefore recommend checking the validity of the document early.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the renewal requirement specifically affects 451,221 driving licences. Between June and November alone, more than 302,000 licences will expire. The highest demand is expected during the summer months, with a peak in August when more than 54,000 documents expire. Figures for June, July, September, October and November also range from around 47,000 to over 52,000 cases each.

The ministry points out that applications can be submitted up to three months before the expiry date. Renewal due to the regular expiry period is free of charge. At the same time, digital processing via the state transport portal (Portál dopravy) is being further expanded. There, users can not only apply for renewal but also check the validity of their driving licence as well as vehicle data. Completed documents can be collected at a pick-up point of choice.

Transport Minister Ivan Bednárik recommends checking personal documents, particularly before the holiday season. While it has no longer been mandatory to carry a physical driving licence within the Czech Republic since 2024, this requirement still applies when travelling abroad.

Regionally, the largest share of upcoming renewals falls to the Central Bohemian Region with more than 65,000 documents. This is followed by the South Moravian Region, Prague and the Moravian-Silesian Region. The lowest figures are recorded in the Karlovy Vary Region.

At city level, Prague leads with around 49,000 expiring licences, followed by Brno, Ostrava, Pilsen and České Budějovice.

The background is an EU-wide regulation requiring driving licences to be renewed every ten years. In addition to online applications, it remains possible to submit applications in person at the relevant authorities.