European Parliament: driver training should focus on risk awareness

Today the European Parliament adopted new, draft rules on EU driving licences.

No mandatory medical test will be required when a driving licence is being issued and renewed.
The introduction of probation period for inexperienced drivers of at least two years.
18-year-olds can obtain a licence to drive a truck or a bus with up to 16 passengers.
Introduction of a digital driving licence, available on a mobile phone.
Focus should be risk awareness training.
No higher minimum age for the A1 licence.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want drivers to be better prepared for real driving situations and be aware of the risks, in particular for vulnerable road users. Therefore driving in snow and slippery conditions, safe phone use while driving, blind spots, driver-assistance systems and ensuring it is safe to open the vehicle doors should also be part of driver’s tests to get a licence, they add.

In a plenary session of the European Parliament, the draft rules on EU driving licences were adopted by 339 votes in favour, 240 against and 37 abstentions.

MEPs agreed that driving licences should be valid for at least 15 years for motorcycles and cars, and five years for trucks and buses. They do not support reducing the validity of driving licences for elderly people – as proposed by the European Commission -, to avoid discrimination and to ensure their right to freedom of movement and participation in economic and social life. MEPs agreed with drivers assessing their own fitness to drive when a driving licence is being issued and renewed, letting EU countries decide if the self-assessment should be replaced by a medical examination with a minimum set of checks on drivers’ eyesight and cardiovascular conditions amongst others. However, MEPs want EU governments to put more effort into raising public awareness of mental and physical signals that may put a person at risk when driving.

During her press conference, Karima Delli, rapporteur on The review of EU driving licence rules, member of the Group of the Greens, was clearly not happy with the fact that some of her proposals were voted out, such as the mandatory health check. She said the battle will continue in the negotiations with the Council (the ministers from all EU countries). She expressed hope that the ministers will be as ambitious as possible to improve road safety. In a surprising statement she accused opponents of her proposals of creating fake news, spreading disinformation and using false arguments.

Inexperienced drivers would have to undergo a probationary driving period of at least two years during which they would be subject to certain restrictions, such as stricter alcohol limits while driving and stricter penalties for unsafe driving, MEPs say. To mitigate the shortage of professional drivers, MEPs also agreed to allow 18-year-olds to obtain a licence to drive a truck or a bus with up to 16 passengers, provided they hold a certificate of professional competence. In addition, 17-year-olds should also be eligible for a driving licence for cars or trucks if accompanied by an experienced driver, the draft says.

To support the EU’s single market, MEPs are in favour of introducing a digital driving licence, available on a mobile phone and fully equivalent to the physical driver’s licence.

The draft rules on EU driving licences were adopted by 339 votes in favour, 240 against and 37 abstentions, constituting Parliament’s position at first reading. The file will be followed up by the new Parliament after the European elections on 6-9 June 2024.

Written by Wim Taal

Top photograph courtesy of KNMV

Source: European Parliament