EU a step closer to new rules on driving licences

European Union ministers and the European Parliament reached on March 25 a provisional political agreement on the update of the driving licence directive, a statement by the Council of the EU said.

This update of the directive will have an important impact on the issuing of driving permits throughout the EU, updating the minimum requirements related to fitness of drivers across the EU, harmonising rules regarding probationary periods for novice drivers and creating a scheme for accompanied driving with a licence obtained at the age of 17, the statement said.

Several key elements will be introduced by the update of the driving licence directive.

First, by the end of 2030, a uniform mobile driving licence will be available for all EU citizens, placed in the future European Digital Identity Wallet.

The digital driving licence will be recognised in all EU member states.

At the same time, road users will have the right to request a physical driving licence.

Both versions, physical and digital, will be valid to drive passenger cars and motorcycles for longer than currently the case, namely 15 years from the date of issuing, except from when the driving licence is used as an ID card (10 years).

Secondly, to improve road safety, a step will be taken towards harmonising medical screening processes applied in the member states. When issuing driving licences, all member states will either request a medical examination or a screening based on a self-assessment.

Rules regarding probationary periods for novice drivers will also be harmonised: a probationary period for a minimum of two years will be established.

During this probationary period, stricter rules or sanctions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs should apply, without prejudice to the member states’ competences to regulate drivers’ behaviour.

To tackle the problem of driver shortage in the professional categories and at the same time improve road safety, a scheme for accompanied driving with a (C) licence will be introduced.

Such a scheme provides the possibility for applicants to acquire driving licences in the relevant categories before the required minimum age limit is reached, while at the same time being accompanied by an experienced driver. The scheme will be offered in all member states for passenger cars. Member states can also offer this possibility for vans and lorries.

Adjustments will also be made to make it easier for citizens to acquire a passenger car license when living in a different EU member state than their member state of citizenship.

It will be possible to take tests and to get a licence issued in the EU member state of citizenship, should there be no possibility to take tests in one of the official languages of the member state of citizenship.

This provisional agreement will now need to be endorsed by the member states’ representatives within the Council (Coreper) and by the European Parliament. It will then be formally adopted by both institutions following legal-linguistic revision, the statement said.

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