Overview
- Parliament adopted two directives agreed with the Council without further amendments, with entry into force 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal.
- A minimum two-year probationary period for novice drivers is introduced, with stricter penalties for serious violations during that period.
- Category B licences may be obtained at 17 with accompanied driving until 18, while conditional lower minimum ages apply for truck and bus licences for holders of professional qualifications.
- Driving tests will add content on blind spots, driver-assistance systems, safe door opening and mobile phone distraction, and first issue or renewal requires a medical check including eyesight and cardiovascular assessments; car and motorcycle licences generally last 15 years, lorry and bus licences 5.
- Licence withdrawal, suspension or restriction decisions will be transferred to the issuing country with mandatory, timely cross-border notifications for serious offences, and a digital licence will become widespread with a guaranteed right to a physical card typically within three weeks.