With more than 20,000 lives lost on EU roads every year, Parliament supports reform of EU driving license rules to ensure they contribute to road safety and to the EU’s green and digital transitions.
Ensuring safer roads for all users
MEPs want drivers to be better prepared for real driving situations and be aware of the risks, especially for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, children, cyclists and e-scooter users. They added that driving in snowy and slippery conditions, safe use of a phone while driving, blind spots, driver assistance systems and making sure it is safe to open car doors should also be part of a driver’s tests to obtain a licence.
Validity of driving licenses and prior health checks
MEPs agreed that driving licenses should be valid for at least 15 years for motorcycles and cars, and five years for trucks and buses. They do not support reducing the validity of driving licenses for the elderly – as proposed by the Commission – to avoid discrimination and to guarantee their right to freedom of movement and participation in economic and social life.
MEPs agreed with drivers assessing their fitness to drive when issuing and renewing a driving licence, allowing EU countries to decide whether self-assessment should be replaced by a medical examination with minimal checks on drivers’ eyesight and cardiovascular conditions among drivers. Others. However, MEPs want EU governments to do more to raise public awareness of mental and physical signals that may put a person in danger while driving.
Beginner drivers and their companions
MEPs say inexperienced drivers will have to undergo a trial driving period of at least two years during which they will be subject to certain restrictions, such as stricter limits on alcohol while driving and tougher penalties for unsafe driving.
To alleviate the shortage of professional drivers, MEPs also agreed to allow 18-year-olds to obtain a license to drive a truck or bus seating up to 16 passengers, provided they hold a certificate of professional competence. In addition, 17-year-olds should also be eligible to obtain a car or truck driving license if they are accompanied by an experienced driver, the draft states.
Mobile driving licence
To support the EU single market, MEPs support the introduction of a digital driving licence, available on mobile and fully equivalent to a physical driving licence.
quotes
“Today the European Parliament has an opportunity to improve road safety in Europe, move closer to achieving the goal of eliminating road deaths by 2050 and creating a stronger framework to protect everyone from road accidents,” said European Parliament Rapporteur Karima Deli (Greens, France). . The rules include optional medical examinations when issuing or renewing a driving license and stronger provisions regarding novice drivers.
Next steps
The draft rules for EU driving licenses were approved by 339 votes in favour, 240 in favour, with 37 abstentions, shaping Parliament’s position on the first reading. The file is scheduled to be followed up by the new Parliament after the European elections scheduled for June 6-9.
