Enhanced training and probationary period
The new rules establish a minimum two-year probationary period for novice drivers, who will face stricter penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to use seat belts or child seats. Driver candidates will now also be tested on blind spots, safe vehicle exit, mobile phone use, and driver assistance systems.
Training will place greater emphasis on protecting vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and children, while 17-year-olds will be allowed to obtain a category B license under the supervision of an experienced driver until they turn 18.
License validity and medical checks
Driving licenses will be valid for 15 years for cars and motorcycles, and five years for trucks and buses. Member states will have the option to shorten the validity period for drivers over 65 or to require more frequent medical examinations.
Before obtaining or renewing a license, drivers will undergo a medical check that includes vision and cardiovascular health tests. Member states may also choose alternative evaluation systems, such as self-assessment forms for categories B and A.
Digital driving license
The directive introduces the digital driving license, available on mobile phones, with equal legal validity to the traditional physical version. Drivers will retain the right to request a physical license, which must be issued within three weeks. The digital version is expected to simplify procedures and enhance data security.
Cross-border enforcement of penalties
The new directive establishes a common European framework for the revocation or suspension of driving licenses. If a driver is penalized in another member state, the penalty will also apply in the country that issued the license. National authorities will be required to exchange information on serious violations such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h, and involvement in fatal accidents.
The rapporteur for driving licenses, Jutta Paulus, stated that by 2030, the directive will have fully implemented the digital license across the EU, improving driver safety education and facilitating the work of volunteer emergency drivers. Meanwhile, Matteo Ricci, rapporteur for license revocation, emphasized that the new framework will offer clearer and more effective criteria for suspensions, protecting “not only responsible drivers but the community as a whole.
The new rules will come into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. Member states will have three years to transpose them into national law and one additional year to prepare for implementation.
The directive is expected to enhance road safety across Europe, providing harmonized training standards, transparent control procedures, and equal rules for all drivers within the European Union.
Tags: European Parliament driving licenses
