Paper driving licences heading for the bin?

Publication date: 19 January 2005

The Transport Committee wants to bid farewell to the paper driving licence format still in use in some Member States. Within ten years, say MEPs, these licences should be replaced by a "credit card" model. And within 20 years a single EU driving licence format should be introduced. The committee also wants to see the introduction of a European driving licence information network to combat fraud and "driving licence tourism".

The highly sensitive issue of driving licences in the EU came before the Transport Committee when it voted on a report by Mathieu Grosch on a European Commission proposal (COM(2003) 621 final / (2003/0252 (COD)) to replace the existing 110 models of driving licence in the 25 Member States by a single EU format. The main benefits would be less fraud, easier movement for drivers and greater safety on the roads.

report_draft_grosch_licences.pdf (317 KB)

com2003_621_licence.pdf (635 KB)

In their amendments to the Commission text, MEPs sought to strike a balance between bringing in the new licence quickly, and indeed improving it, and taking account of the different national traditions on issuing driving licences, such as age restrictions. The report was adopted with 38 votes in favour, 5 against and with 6 abstentions.

Firm dates for new licence formats
The Commission was proposing no deadlines for the introduction of the licence. But MEPs want Member States to have 10 years from the date on which the directive takes effect to replace all paper licences by plastic card licences. And they say that a standard EU model of licence should be compulsory within a further 10 years. In addition, MEPs say that Member States should be allowed to introduce a microchip if they wish, as a further anti-fraud measure. However, the Transport Committee stresses that this replacement of old driving licences must not result in the loss or restriction of an individual's existing right to drive.

A Europe-wide network of licence data
The mechanics for issuing driving licences differ in the Member States, being handled centrally in some and regionally in others. To combat fraud, the committee wants there to be a single focal point for access to driving licence information in each state - in effect a "driving licence network". EU states could then refuse to issue a licence to an applicant who has had his licence restricted, suspended or withdrawn in another EU country.

No blanket medical checks for over-65s
The Commission had proposed that ordinary licences issued to drivers who are 65 or more should be valid for only 5 years. But MEPs argued that a blanket restriction for the over-65s was not justified. On the sensitive issue of medical checks, they decided simply that Member States should have the option of limiting the period of validity of driving licences in individual cases, such as certain diseases. And insulin-dependent drivers, for example, should have medical authorisation.

For further information:
- amendments 69-217 to the draft report
- amendments 218-222 to the draft report

549582en.pdf (358 KB)

551863en.pdf (119 KB)

Related News Items:
- 3rd Driving Licence Directive back in EP (22 November 2004) 
- Transport Council: Discussions on Driving Licence Directive (7 October 2004) 
- Third Driving Licence Directive on the EP Agenda (30 July 2004)
-  Setback for EU driving licence (6 April 2004)
- 3rd Driving Licence Directive proposed by Commission (21 October 2003)