There will be new driving license rules in Europe after the European Parliament approved them today, German public broadcaster ARD reports.
The aim of the new rules is to achieve unity in the EU, especially on safety issues. "In the EU, we have 20,000 road deaths every year, that's too many", explains Italian MEP Matteo Ricci. The Social Democrat was involved in the lengthy negotiations with EU member states and the European Commission.
Driving license withdrawal and new requirements for driving school students
An important point: anyone who has to surrender their driving license in another EU country will not be able to simply continue driving in their home country. This means that the withdrawal of the driving license will be recognized and applicable throughout the EU, which will require an exchange of information.
The new rules also introduce additional requirements for driving school students. They must be aware of the dangers associated with the blind spot and the use of mobile phones, and even greater attention will be paid to the risks for pedestrians, children, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Driving license - directly on the mobile phone
Another novelty is the digital driving license, which will be accessible via smartphone. "This is a good solution, especially for young people - for them everything is on their mobile phone", says MEP Jutta Paulus for ARD.
The package of driving license requirements also includes a probationary period of at least two years for novice drivers and accompanied driving for 17-year-olds anywhere in the EU. After long discussions, the idea of mandatory medical examinations for older drivers was dropped. However, individual member states will have the right to introduce such rules - in this case, this would not be in conflict with European law. This is one of the freedoms that some EU member states have negotiated and ultimately managed to enforce.
Heavier campers - only if they are electric
Good news for caravan fans: in the future, electric campers can be heavier than now - up to 4.25 tonnes. However, they will be able to be driven with a passenger car driving licence.
Since there is a shortage of truck drivers, the new requirements offer the opportunity to obtain a professional truck driving licence at the age of 18 and for buses at the age of 21. Businesses are mostly happy with this amendment.
When will the new rules come into effect?
When the reform will come into force depends on the governments of the EU countries. In this regard, the ARD recalls that when the first directive for a single pink driving license was adopted in the then nine EU member states in 1980, it took a full six years before the new driving license became a reality. And the current driving license in the form of a bank card, which was also conceived back then, only appeared in 1999, i.e. almost 20 years later. Today, the goal is for everything to happen much faster.
Author: Andreas Meyer-Feist