Driving licence at 17, the European Union gives the green light

Nearly 20,000 lives lost each year require a change of direction. The European Union has approved new driving license rules to drastically reduce the number of fatalities and standardize driving regulations across its 27 member states. Among the key aspects is that drivers will be able to obtain a driving license at age 17 , but until age 18, drivers will only be allowed to drive with an experienced companion . The changes, which will come into force on the twentieth day after publication in the Official Journal of the EU, must be implemented within three years. There will then be a further year of transition for full implementation.

Sanctions and examination procedures

The first pillar of the reform concerns sanctions . Until now, those who lost their license in one country could, in effect, continue to drive in another, which left approximately 40% of cross-border violations unpunished. This will no longer be possible. Rapporteur Matteo Ricci explained:

Anyone who commits a serious traffic violation in a country other than their country of residence will no longer be allowed to drive anywhere in Europe. License suspension will be recognized everywhere.

In essence, the Union introduces a principle of full reciprocity, which makes the concept of a European driving licence effective.

The second pillar concerns the educational sphere. Students will be expected to pay attention to everything around them, from blind spots to the risk of being distracted by cell phones . This way, they will fully understand the dangers, rather than simply limiting themselves to formally following the rules. The educational program will teach them to predict the movements of vulnerable groups, from pedestrians to cyclists, and to protect them with informed choices.

The duration of the license and the rules for new drivers

The third issue concerns the duration of driving licenses and health checks. Driving licenses for cars and motorcycles will remain valid for fifteen years, unless states choose to reduce it to ten if the license also serves as an identity document. The validity period drops to five years for heavy goods vehicles , and states will have the right to further limit it for drivers over 65, thus requiring periodic medical checks and refreshers. Upon initial issuance or renewal, in addition to an eye exam, these checks will include cardiovascular examinations and other tests to ensure physical and mental fitness for driving.

Finally, the EU introduces a probationary period of at least two years for those newly licensed. Drivers caught driving while intoxicated, without a seatbelt, or engaging in dangerous behavior will face harsher penalties. The reform also addresses the chronic shortage of professional drivers: 18-year-olds will be able to obtain a truck license (category C) and 21-year-olds will be able to obtain a bus license (category D), provided they have completed mandatory professional training. Without certification, the minimum ages remain 21 and 24, respectively.

Furthermore, a further step toward the dematerialization of documents: new driving licenses will be digital, accessible even via smartphone. But the key to the reform is the response to staggering statistics: the death toll remains too high, and ignoring it would be foolhardy.