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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Source: www.stern.de
