Members of the European Parliament (EP) on Tuesday in Strasbourg approved an amendment to the rules of the European Union on driver’s licenses, the aim of which is to improve road traffic safety and reduce the number of traffic accidents. They claim almost 20,000 lives in the EU every year, according to the EP press release, TASR informs.
In driving license tests there will also be new questions regarding the risks of blind spots, handling driver assistance systems, safe opening of doors and the risks associated with talking on the phone while driving. The MEPs succeeded in enforcing the requirements for training and testing new drivers, in which the emphasis is placed on a better perception of possible threats to pedestrians, children, cyclists or other vulnerable road users.
Driving licenses should be valid for 15 years for motorbike and car drivers in all Member States, while countries where the driving license is used as an identity card may limit the validity to ten years. Driving licenses for truck and bus drivers will be valid for five years. States of the Union can also shorten the validity of driver’s licenses for drivers aged 65 and over to make it conditional on more frequent medical examinations and completion of fitness tests.
Before obtaining the first driver’s license or when renewing its validity, the driver will have to undergo a medical examination, which also includes an examination of the vision and the cardiovascular system. However, EU Member States may decide to replace this inspection with other assessment systems established at national level.
For the first time, EU legislation introduces a two-year probationary period for inexperienced drivers. During this period, stricter rules and higher fines will apply to them, for example for driving under the influence of alcohol or not using seat belts. Also new is the possibility to obtain a driver’s license for a car at the age of 17, while young drivers will only be able to drive under the supervision of an experienced passenger until they turn 18.
In order to solve the shortage of professional drivers, according to the new rules, it will be possible to obtain a driver’s license for a truck at the age of 18 and for a bus at the age of 21. if these persons have the relevant certificate or demonstrate professional competence. Otherwise, it will be possible to drive a truck at the age of 21 and a bus at the age of 24.
According to the new rules, the digital driver’s license stored in a mobile phone should gradually replace the traditional driver’s license format throughout the Union. However, MEPs pushed for drivers to continue to apply for a classic license. EU member states will have three years to incorporate the new rules into their legislation and another year to prepare for their implementation. Several of these measures already apply in some countries of the Union, including Slovakia.