The European Parliament's Transport Committee backed new EU driving licence rules on Thursday to improve road safety, including updated validity limits and mandatory health checks.
Members of the Transport and Tourism Committee adopted their position on Thursday on the revision of EU driving licence rules by 22 votes in favour, 21 against and two abstentions. With over 20,000 lives lost on EU roads every year, MEPs are looking to tighten road safety standard and embrace the EU's green and digital transitions.
The Committee agreed that driving licences for motorcycles, cars and tractors should be valid at least for 15 years, while licences for trucks and buses should be valid for five. Health checks by medical professionals should also be mandatory upon obtaining or renewing a driving licence, they stressed.
The proposed rules dictate that inexperienced drivers would also have to undergo a probationary driving period of at least two years. During this time, novice drivers would also face restrictions such as a 0.2 g/l alcohol limit and stricter penalties for unsafe driving.
MEPs agreed to allow 18 year olds to obtain a licence to drive a truck or a bus with up to 16 passengers to mitigate the shortage of professional drivers – provided they hold a certificate of professional competence (if not, the age limit is 21). In addition, 17 year olds could also be eligible for a driving licence for trucks if accompanied by an experienced driver.
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They also supported a proposal to adapt driver training and testing to better prepare drivers for real-life driving situations and develop their risk awareness, particularly for vulnerable road users.
Finally, MEPs were in favour of a move towards digital driving licences, available on phones and fully equivalent to the physical driver's licence.
Zero road deaths by 2050
"I am delighted that the European Parliament is making road safety its top priority," EP rapporteur Karima Delli (Greens) said in response to the vote. "Our goal is to reach zero road deaths by 2050 and create a stronger system to protect novice drivers against accidents."
The draft position on the revision of EU driving rules will likely be voted on by the full house of the European Parliament in the January plenary session.
