Traffic - Driving license rules: EU states position themselves
The transport ministers of the EU member states want to make European roads safer by introducing new driving license requirements.
They are meeting in Brussels today to finalize their position and enter into decisive negotiations with the European Parliament. The rules originally proposed by the EU Commission have already made headlines in Germany, with some fearing that older people will be obliged to undergo medical checks in future.
Issue of compulsory check-ups
However, it is currently unrealistic that this will happen. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) has already made it clear that he rejects compulsory health checks for senior citizens. At the same time, the Commission's proposal gives the EU countries leeway and allows such mandatory check-ups in principle. National governments therefore have a free choice.
The likelihood that the EU states will want to change this and demand mandatory check-ups is correspondingly low. In many European countries, such as Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, tests are required from a certain age, according to information from the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) in 2021.
However, there could be changes to other details of the Commission's proposal. In March, the EU Commission proposed that the driving license of people over 70 should be renewed every five years. This would require either a self-assessment of fitness to drive or a medical examination. Theoretically, the validity period and requirements can be changed in this regard.
Other changes on the agenda
In addition to dealing with older drivers, other changes are also on the agenda. For example, accompanied driving at the age of 17 could become standard throughout the EU and also be extended to HGVs. A probationary period could also become standard throughout the EU in future. The EU Commission's proposals also indicate that, under certain conditions, heavier motorhomes, for example, could be driven with a car driver's license. A digital driving license for cell phones is also under discussion.
Once the EU member states have agreed on a position, the project still has to be negotiated with the European Parliament, which is also involved in the legislation. There could still be some disputes during these negotiations. Karima Delli, the MEP responsible for the transport committee, had called for controversial tightening.
However, it is currently not foreseeable that the Green politician will prevail with proposals such as mandatory medical checks, significant restrictions for new drivers or stricter speed limits. Parliament has not yet determined its position. There is likely to be an initial test of public opinion on Thursday when the parliamentary transport committee votes on the reform of the driving license directive.
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- The German Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing, representing the FDP party, opposes the EU Commission's proposal for compulsory health checks for senior drivers in the European Parliament's negotiations.
- Despite low chances, some EU countries like Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands currently require medical tests for older drivers, as reported by the European Transport Safety Council in 2021.
- The EU Commission has proposed that driving licenses for individuals over 70 be renewed every five years, either through self-assessment or medical examination, but the validity period and requirements are flexible and subject to change.
- Negotiations on the new driving license rules are not only between EU transport ministers but also involve the European Parliament, where MEP Karima Delli has advocated for tightening measures such as mandatory medical checks and stricter speed limits, although it remains unclear if her proposals will be accepted.
- The European Parliament's transport committee is scheduled to vote on the driving license directive's reform on Thursday, providing an initial test of public opinion on the proposed changes.
- Trafficking in EU countries will be influenced by the new driving license regulations once the EU member states agree on their position and reach an agreement with the European Parliament and the EU Commission in Brussels.
Source: www.stern.de
