New EU-wide driving licence rules impact fleets

The changes include a tightening of driving disqualifications, which means that a driver who loses their licence in one Member State will also be banned from driving in all other EU Member States.

Driving bans
Under the current rules, if a Member State did not issue a driving licence, it can only restrict the right to drive of a serious road traffic offender within its own country. Only the Member State that issued the licence has the power to restrict the right to drive throughout the entire EU.

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) welcomed the closing of the loophole, which will apply only to drivers disqualified for at least three months for serious offences, such as excessive speeding (50 km/h over the limit), driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and causing death or serious injury by reckless driving. But the ETSC would also like to see the rules applied to drivers caught speeding by less than 50kmh above the legal limit.

The European Parliament and the Council have also formally adopted other elements of a new European Commission Directive to modernise driving licence rules.

Large eLCVs
These include confirmation of the right of drivers with a standard category B licence to drive alternatively-powered vans weighing up to 4.25 tonnes, instead of 3.5 tonnes, due to the additional weight of batteries. Fleets still face additional responsibilities, however, in operating vans that weigh more than 3.5 tonnes.

The new Directive also prepares the way for EU-wide recognition of licences obtained outside the EU in countries that have a similar road safety framework as the EU, which should help multi-national fleets with company car and van drivers coming from outside the EU.

Younger truck drivers
Commercial vehicle fleets will also be able to recruit younger drivers, with a reduction in the minimum age when a driver can obtain a truck licence from 21 to 18. Member States may even allow 17-years-old drivers to drive a truck or van in their own country, so long as they are accompanied by an experienced driver. Truck drivers will have to renew their licences every five years.

In future, driving licences will be digital, rather than physical, and carried on mobile phones, as part of the EU Digital Identity Wallet, although this will not be introduced until 2030.

Distracted driving On the subject of phones, learner drivers will now be taught about the distraction risks of phone usage while driving. In addition, driver training and tests will cover advanced driving assistance systems, the safe opening of doors, and driving in snow and slippery conditions, as well as awareness of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooter riders.

EU road deaths
The EU has set itself the target of halving the number of road deaths by 2030, and achieving zero road deaths by 2050. Last year, 19,800 people died in road crashes within the EU, with an estimated five seriously injured victims for every fatality.

Sweden had the safest roads in the EU last year, recording 20 deaths per one million inhabitants respectively, compared to an EU average of 44, while the most dangerous country in which to drive was Romania, with 77 road deaths per million inhabitants.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Transport at the European Commission, said: “These updated driving licence rules mark a major step forward in modernising our licencing system and enhancing road safety across the EU. From the introduction of digital driving licences to measures that support young drivers, this agreement paves the way for a more accessible, efficient, and safer mobility system. Most importantly, it will help us reduce fatalities on EU roads, bringing us closer to our Vision Zero goal.”