On the 27th-28th February, the European Parliament votes on the changes to driving licences.

With more than 20,000 deaths each year on the roads of the European Union, immediate action is needed. The European Parliament’s plenary session will be convened on the two days 27-28. February to discuss and then vote on new directive on driving licences.

The Transport and Tourism Committee’s proposal is to tighten the framework for renewing driving licenses on a European level.

According to the proposal:

• The driving license must be renewed every 15 years and accompanied by a medical examination.
• The validity period of the driver’s license will decrease the older the driver is, and will only be 5 years for people over 70.

After strong reactions from several members of the committee (the proposal was passed by a difference of only one vote), it is expected that member states will be given some kind of “freedom” in how to apply these rules.

If the committee’s proposal passes at the plenary meeting in the European Parliament, the new directive on driving licenses is expected to be implemented in the EU countries from 2026 or 2027.