The planned shift would make a digital EU-wide driving licence the default in Spain by 2028, while keeping a physical card available on request. The wider European legislative file concerns driving licences and is described in EUR-Lex as a measure amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 and Directive (EU) 2022/2561, while repealing Directive 2006/126/EC and Commission Regulation (EU) No 383/2012.
Digital Licence Takes Center Stage
The planned change would make a mobile digital credential the standard way for drivers to prove they are entitled to lead. It is intended to support recognition across EU member states and simplify checks during cross-border travel. Spain’s proposed transition would keep a physical-card option for motorists who need or prefer one.
The European measure forms part of a broader effort to modernise licence administration and make verification more consistent between countries. The national rollout and practical arrangements for digital and physical credentials will depend on how the structure is implemented through EU and Spanish rules.
Validity Periods and Medical Checks
The legislative discussion includes a 15-year interval for drivers to complete a self-assessment or provide a medical certificate to maintain their entitlement. The proposed structure presents these as alternatives, not as proof that every licence renewal requires a vision and cardiovascular examination. National authorities would determine how to apply the approach within their systems.
Licence validity and health assessments are closely connected: shorter renewal periods give authorities more frequent opportunities to review fitness to lead, while self-assessment and medical certification offer different ways to address the issue. For Spanish drivers, the precise procedure will be set through applicable national arrangements.
New Drivers and Accompanied Driving
Changes affecting younger drivers are also part of the wider reform debate. Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico has highlighted accompanied driving from age 17 as a possible measure. The DGT reference points to the possibility of supervised driving at that age; detailed conditions and timing depend on the relevant legislative changes.
Driver training and testing are also expected to focus more on practical road-safety risks, including blind spots, mobile-phone distractions and the use of driver-assistance systems. They are also expected to address safety for pedestrians, children and cyclists.
Cross-Border Enforcement
The reform is intended to support more consistent licence administration and enforcement across Europe. Its broader objective is to help authorities verify driving entitlements and improve cooperation when serious road offences involve more than one member state.
These changes form part of a wider push to modernise European transport policy. Stricter vehicle inspections and emissions standards are also being rolled out, as seen in Spain's response to new Euro 7 rules (Spanish authorities tighten vehicle inspections). The digital licence is intended to become a basic part of efforts to make road administration more consistent across the continent.
For Spanish drivers, the transition will mean adapting to new digital procedures while retaining access to a physical card. The reform’s practical impact will depend on how EU provisions are implemented nationally, including arrangements for licence verification, renewal and medical fitness.
