BRUSSELS (CHATNEWSTV) — The European Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement Tuesday on sweeping reforms to the EU’s driving license directive, aiming to modernize permit issuance, enhance road safety, and introduce a digital license across member states.
“These revised rules on driving licenses are an excellent example of how widespread digitalization is in the lives of Europeans,” said Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak. “Thanks to this update, the rules on and issuing of driving licenses will be smarter, more inclusive and fully adapted to our digital society, while at the same time ensuring an important positive impact on the EU’s road safety.”
Digital Licenses by 2030
Under the new framework, a uniform mobile driving licence will be available to all EU citizens by the end of 2030. The digital permit, stored in the European Digital Identity Wallet, will be recognized across all member states. However, drivers will retain the right to request a physical copy. The validity period for car and motorcycle licences will be extended to 15 years, except when used as an identification document, in which case it will remain 10 years.
Stricter Safety Standards
The agreement introduces new safety measures, including harmonized medical screening for drivers. Member states will be required to conduct either a medical examination or a self-assessment before issuing a licence.
Novice drivers will face a mandatory probationary period of at least two years with stricter penalties for alcohol and drug-related offences.
Addressing Driver Shortages
To combat driver shortages in professional categories, the EU will implement an accompanied driving scheme. The program will allow applicants to obtain a category C license before reaching the minimum age, provided they drive under the supervision of an experienced driver. This will be applicable across all member states for passenger cars, with an option for vans and trucks where permitted.
Additionally, citizens living in an EU country different from their nationality will be allowed to take driving tests and obtain licenses from their home country if tests are not available in their native language.
The agreement awaits formal endorsement by member states’ representatives in the Council (Coreper) and the European Parliament before final adoption following legal and linguistic reviews.
Towards ‘Vision Zero’
The directive is part of the EU’s Road Safety Package 2023, which aligns with the bloc’s goal of achieving zero road fatalities by 2050. In 2023, EU road deaths stood at 20,400, marking a 1% decline from the previous year. Preliminary 2024 figures show a 3% reduction, but officials warn that a 4.5% annual decline is necessary to meet the 2030 target of halving road deaths.
The package also includes proposals for stricter driver disqualifications and improved cross-border enforcement of traffic violations.
