New credit card style German driver's license

So, I just got back from picking up my German license and it is the new credit card style one, which they told me was also the new EU card. However, I read that the new EU cards were not to be issued unitl 2013 and also that they were to have a 10-15 yr expire date. Mine doesnt expire though?

I am trying to decifer all the info on the back of the card. I have searced the TÜV and ADAC sites and cant really find any info about the details on the card itself.

Anyone know where to find this info?

Thanks

I think what you heard about the EU thing is the new license they will introduce in 2013, which follows even more EU regulations and I guess a standardised EU driving test.
The current credit card style one is a valid EU license.

Sorry its in german but - Fahrerlaubnisklassen seit 01.01.1999

Thanks pootle - this info I did find (the info on the classes). It is what all the other things mean. Specifically when they have *) and under column 12 they have 181 for the T/S - not sure what this means.

Thanks again.

Thanks Most - I do know that it is valid (that pretty much is a given ) - was not really the question. Was just wondering if it was maybe the new one they were talking about that they were issuing in 2013 or just the new style. Main question though is about the info on the back of it.

thanks for your help though

The info on the back is just the categories of vehicles that you can drive.

Did you get yours in exchange for an American license? I also have stars in column 10 and 181 for T/S. This link says 181 means "Klasse T, nur gültig für Kraftfahrzeuge der Klasse S." Not sure what that means... T seems to be for tractors, S for trikes, quads or microcars driven at speeds under 45 kph.

Column 10 is Erteilungsdatum, ie issue date. Since my license was issued in exchange for an American one, I suspect the *)s mean see below, where the information on my American license is listed...

Great - that is what I was wondering about. I had thought that was what it was all about - just wans't sure.

Yeah I've recently gotten one of these two. Another thing, apparently now some US states get to keep their US license instead of having to exchange it -- at least Louisiana.

As for the info, the back left corner tells what each thing is. It's all numbered on the front. That way the info is in the same spot throughout the EU.

if you're talking about #9: that's your class + endorsements.

For instance mine is a B-msl

So on the Back 'B' (auto) is marked, as well as M (cycle), L (agricultural vehicles and machinery), S...(I see this is listed above)