'Crucial for safety': New rule will enforce driving licence bans across EU

Under current rules, only the EU country where the licence is issued can hand out a driving ban that is valid across the EU.

So if a non-resident commits a major driving violation in another EU member state, whilst on holiday for example, this country can only issue a ban within its own territory.

This has resulted in a road safety issue, according to the EU. The European Commission has warned that in 2019, about 40 percent of cross-border offences were committed with relative impunity.

According to the new law, however, a license withdrawal, suspension or restriction will have to be passed from the country where the offence was committed to the one where the license was issued so that the penalty can then be enforced across the EU.

What kind of driving offences will it apply to?

The rule will apply to cases concerning drink-driving or driving under the influence of drugs, excessive speeding (driving 50 km/h faster than the limit) and fatal accidents. The European Commission will assess after five years whether to expand the list.

The text, agreed on Tuesday by representatives of the European parliament and Council, has to be formally adopted by both institutions. EU countries will then have four years to turn it into national law.

“This Directive is a crucial step in ensuring better road safety. By introducing clearer and more timely criteria for suspending driving privileges because of serious violations, this measure protects not only responsible drivers but the entire community,” said Italian MEP Matteo Ricci.

German MEP Markus Ferber also welcomed the agreement and said he was satisfied that new rules won’t lead to an EU-wide points-based system.

Driving licenses

Separately, representatives of the Parliament and Council also agreed on new EU rules about driving licences. By the end of 2030, there will be a uniform driving licence format available on smartphones, but drivers will maintain the right to request a physical version.

Both physical and digital versions will be valid to drive passenger cars and motorcycles for 15 years, or 10 years if the country uses a driving licence also as an ID. Truck and bus licences will have to be renewed every 5 years. EU countries will also be able to shorten the validity of driving licences for people above 65 years.

All EU countries will have to request a medical examination or a self-assessment when issuing driving licences, and a probationary period of minimum of two years will be introduced for new drivers. During this time, stricter rules or sanctions will apply for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

EU citizens living in another EU member state than their own will be able to take tests and get a licence in the country citizenship, in case of language issues.

The new directive will also allow the EU-wide recognition of EU licences issued to residents in exchange of driving permits of third countries with similar safety rules. The Commission will have to draw a list of safe countries in this regard.  Currently, such driving licenses are marked with code ‘70’ and don’t have to be recognised across the EU.

These measures are part of the so-called ‘Road safety package’ which aims to halve road deaths by 2030 and includes also an update of rules on the cross-border exchange of information on traffic offences.