Overview
- Lawmakers adopted the directive on 21 October, giving countries three years to transpose the rules plus one year to prepare practical rollout.
- Serious traffic offences can trigger a driving ban enforceable across the EU, with the offence state notifying the licence‑issuing state to impose it EU‑wide.
- A single digital driving licence must be available by 2030 and accessible on smartphones, with an equivalent physical card remaining an option.
- Novice rules are harmonised with EU‑wide recognition of accompanied driving at 17 and a two‑year probationary period for new drivers.
- To ease driver shortages, the minimum age drops to 18 for lorry licences and 21 for buses, and Class B holders may drive up to 4,250 kg after extra training, while mandatory senior health checks were dropped in favor of national discretion.