The European Union has approved sweeping changes to the rules for obtaining driver’s licenses. Teenagers who have reached the age of 17 will now be allowed to drive a car, provided they are accompanied by an adult. This measure is intended to make it easier for young people to start driving without compromising road safety.
Under the updated regulations, new driver’s licenses will be valid for up to 15 years, and a digital version will be available for download to smartphones. This should simplify motorists’ lives and reduce paperwork. However, for those over 65, the validity period may be shortened so that medical checkups or additional courses are required more frequently.
Particular focus has been placed on training future drivers. Instruction will now be stricter: a mandatory two-year probation period for beginners, increased requirements for knowledge about blind spots, modern driver assistance systems, safe door opening, and the dangers of using a phone behind the wheel. Driving schools will have to put greater emphasis on the safety of pedestrians, children, and cyclists.
New medical requirements are also being introduced: obtaining or renewing a license will require mandatory eyesight and heart health checks. However, countries may substitute this medical examination with a self-assessment system or national equivalents for drivers of cars and motorcycles.
The reform has also affected professional drivers. Now you can obtain a truck license at 18, and a bus license at 21, provided you have a certificate of professional competence. This measure is intended to address the shortage of personnel in the transport sector and make it easier for volunteers, such as firefighters and rescuers, to work.
Penalties for violations have become much stricter: speeding, drunk driving, and driving under the influence of drugs will be punished more severely, and sanctions will be standardized across all EU countries. If a driver breaks the law abroad, information about license suspension or restriction will be sent to the country where the license was issued, ensuring that the penalty is enforced.
Authorities are confident these changes will help reduce accidents and fatalities on the roads, as well as make obtaining and using driver’s licenses more modern and convenient for citizens.
