As of: February 19, 2024, 2:00 p.m
By: Jonah Reule
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Press
Split
In the Kleve district (NRW), people get the Deutschlandticket free for one year when they hand in their driving license.
But the decision has far-reaching consequences.
Kleve – drive a car or use the bus and train with the Deutschlandticket?
Many people in Germany and North Rhine-Westphalia have been asking themselves this question since the introduction of the 49 euro ticket in May 2023.
According to an analysis by the Association of German Transport Companies, around eight to ten percent of all Deutschlandticket users actually switched directly from their car to a public transport subscription.
There are always special promotions to ensure that even more people switch to buses and trains.
In Leverkusen, for example, pensioners over the age of 75 received the Germany ticket for free in 2023 if they handed in their driving license.
There is now a similar campaign in the Kleve district.
According to the district administration, anyone who hands in their driving license there will receive a free Germany ticket for one year.
And even without age restrictions.
But there is a catch.
The Kleve district gives citizens a Germany ticket for one year - if they hand in their driving license
Anyone who exchanges their driving license for a Germany ticket will no longer get it back (symbolic photos/IDZRNRW montage).
© MiS/Imago & Panama Pictures/Imago
According to the administration of the Kleve district, the campaign is a model project.
The motto: “Germany ticket instead of a driving license.” The process is very simple: hand in your driving license, get a Germany ticket.
Unlike in Leverkusen, however, the offer is not only aimed at a specific age group.
“The offer is aimed at all people who live in the Kleve district and have a valid driving license.
Further criteria – such as an age limit or illness – are expressly not specified,” it says on the Kleve district administration’s website and Facebook page.
In other North Rhine-Westphalia cities, such as Dortmund, people also received the Germany ticket for handing in their driving license.
According to the district administration, anyone who wants to take part in the model project will receive a Germany ticket for the driver's license they hand over.
The costs for the public transport ticket, which costs 49 euros per month, are then reimbursed by the district administration for one year.
With the Deutschlandticket you can then use regional and local trains nationwide.
Deutschlandticket campaign in the Kleve district: Can I get my driving license back?
Basically the answer is: no.
“Citizens who have voluntarily handed in their driving license to us will not get it back,” explains a spokesman for the district administration to 24RHEIN.
For example, if you want to switch back to a car after two months of a Germany ticket or after a year, you're out of luck.
“Those who want to drive again must get their driver’s license again,” the spokesman continued.
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Germany ticket for driving license: How can I hand in my driving license?
People in the Kleve district can hand in their driving license either on site at the district administration's road traffic department or by post.
In both cases, however, according to the city, a waiver must be signed and attached to the driver's license.
In this way, citizens declare that they are giving up their driving license.
The waiver form can be downloaded online from the district administration website.
People who have returned their driving license can then receive the Deutschlandticket either at the local district administration or by post.
According to the district administration, anyone who wants to pick up the Germany ticket on site needs an appointment in advance.
“In order to create the subscription, the submission of the waiver and the driver’s license are mandatory,” explains the district administration.
The Deutschlandticket is available in the form of a chip card.
Model project “Germany ticket instead of driving license” in the Kleve district
► Anyone with a driving license in the Kleve district can take part
► The driving license must be handed in
► Submission either in person on site or by post
► The Germany ticket is either available on site or sent by post
► The Deutschlandticket costs nothing for more than a year; an extension is possible
Use the Deutschlandticket for free for one year – what happens after that?
If you still want to continue using your Germany ticket after a year, you can extend it.
This is a monthly subscription.
Citizens who want to continue using the Deutschlandticket must pay 49 euros per month from the 13th month onwards.
In order to cancel the Deutschlandticket, the subscription must be canceled with the relevant transport company by the 10th day of a month.
Otherwise it will just continue in the coming month.
Kleve district: Germany ticket model project has been well received so far
According to the district administration, the Germany ticket in exchange for a driving license is valid now.
The administration itself places a particular focus on a specific group of people.
“Among other things, we want to appeal to people who are already thinking about giving up their driver’s license,” explains the district administration spokesman.
So far, three citizens have already returned their driver's license for the Germany ticket.
The response was positive, said the spokesman.
There was also positive feedback from the driving license campaign in Leverkusen.
Deutschlandticket: Also other campaigns in NRW
In addition to the offer from the Kleve district administration, there are other campaigns in North Rhine-Westphalia related to the Deutschlandticket.
Socially weaker people get a cheaper 49 euro ticket with the Germany ticket in North Rhine-Westphalia.
From April, students in North Rhine-Westphalia can also look forward to a cheaper Germany ticket.
The Germany semester ticket starts in the summer semester and only costs 29.40 euros per month.
(jr)