Brussels Introducing Single

EU-wide Digital Driving Licence

1 MAR - The European Commission introduces plan on a EU-wide digital driving licence.

It is part ot Brussel's proposals to accelerate road to Vision Zero to be achieved by 2050 by also introducing new rules on novice drivers and alcohol and facilitating cross-border traffic violation enforcement.

Novelty

The proposal on driving licences amends existing EU law and is inspired by best practices already in force in several Member States, announced the EC. The Commission proposes the introduction of a digital driving licence, a first such one in the world. It will be much easier to replace, renew or exchange a driving licence since all procedures will be online, the Commission states.

Probation

The Commission also plans on a probation period of at least two years for novice drivers after passing the test, and a zero-tolerance rule on drink-driving. According to the EC, this is essential as even if young drivers only represent 8% of all car drivers, 2 out of 5 fatal collisions involve a driver or rider aged under 30.

Courses

The legislative proposals include allowing young people to take their test and commence accompanied driving of cars and lorries from the age of 17, to gain driving experience. Another goal is adapting driver training and testing to better prepare drivers for the presence of vulnerable users on the road. This will help improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, as well as users of e-scooters and e-bikes as the EU transitions to more sustainable urban mobility.

Impunity

Current EU rules on cross-border enforcement have helped to ensure that non-resident road offenders do not remain anonymous. Nonetheless, in 2019 some 40% of cross-border offences were committed with impunity, either because the offender was not identified or because the payment was not enforced. New proposals seek to allow police authorities to gain access to other national driving licence registers. As of now, only speeding and drink-driving are cross-borderly enforce. The Commission proposes to expand the scope of traffic offences by adding also not keeping sufficient distance, dangerous overtaking, dangerous parking, crossing a solid white line, wrong-way driving, emergency corridor violations and overloading. The goal is to minimize the chance of impunity of non-resident offenders.

To prevent impunity among road traffic offenders, a new system will be put in place, allowing for an EU-wide driving disqualification when a Member State decides to disqualify a driver because of an offence committed on its territory.

The proposals are due to be sent to the European Parliament and the Council under the ordinary EU legislative procedure of a trialogue.