In other words, the changes will not be immediate, but will gradually change the issuance and monitoring of driving licences across Europe. However, a closer look at the details of this reform shows that some measures remain relatively flexible: Member States retain some leeway in adapting various provisions.
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The validity period is now limited.
One of the most important changes concerns the validity period of driving licences. Until now, some driver’s licenses – especially the old, pink papers that many French people still have – were valid for life. The European reform now provides for a maximum validity period of 15 years for car and motorcycle licenses.
In some countries where driving licences also serve as official identification documents, the validity period could be reduced to up to ten years. In particular, old driving licences must be gradually replaced by a new, European format with an expiry date. According to the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication, member states have a long transitional period to implement this amendment, which could extend until 19 January 2033.
The new period of validity applies from the next driving licence renewal, after five, ten or twenty years, depending on the case. Holders of old driving licences therefore do not have to exchange them immediately. You can continue to use them until the renewal date.
The reform also includes special regulations for drivers over 65 years of age. Member States may shorten the validity period of their driving licences and require more frequent medical examinations or refresher courses. However, this measure is not mandatory: each country is free to implement it.
The reform also includes changes to the procedure for obtaining or renewing a driving licence. MEPs want to introduce medical examinations, including ophthalmological and cardiovascular examinations, to confirm that drivers have the necessary physical fitness for safe driving.
But here, too, the Member States retain a certain amount of leeway. They may decide to replace this medical examination with a self-assessment system or other nationally determined assessment methods. In practice, therefore, the medical examination will not be systematically mandatory in Europe.
The driving test itself is expected to be more demanding. In the future, the candidates will be assessed on the basis of new aspects related to the development of modern driving techniques. Additional questions and exercises include topics such as blind spot hazards, the use of driver assistance systems, how to safely open car doors to avoid collisions with cyclists, and the risks of distraction from cell phone use.
European authorities also want to raise awareness among the most vulnerable road users. Training programmes must focus more on the risks for pedestrians, children, cyclists and users of scooters and other means of transport.
Sanctions also apply abroad
Another important aspect of the reform concerns crimes committed abroad. Until now, some drivers have been able to avoid punishment by committing a crime in another European country.
Member States must now improve the exchange of information in order to combat this form of impunity. If a driver commits a serious crime in another EU country, this can be automatically reported to the authorities that issued his driving licence.
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National authorities must quickly exchange decisions on the most severe sanctions, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, involvement in a fatal accident or very serious speeding offences – for example, exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h.
