On 21 October 2025, the European Parliament gave its final approval to the reform of driving licences, concluding a legislative process lasting over two years and marking a turning point in European policy on road safety and driver training. The measure, part of the road safety package launched by the European Commission in 2023, was adopted without a formal vote at second reading following an agreement with the Council of the European Union.
Replacing the 2006 Directive, the reform introduces updated rules for the issuance, validity and suspension of driving licences, aiming to reduce road fatalities and harmonise regulations for drivers and national authorities. Particular attention is given to professional drivers, as the EU seeks both to ease access to the profession and to ensure higher safety standards.
Under the new provisions, 18-year-olds may obtain a licence for lorries (category C) and 21-year-olds for buses (category D), provided they hold the driver qualification certificate. Without it, the minimum age remains 21 and 24 respectively. The objective is to tackle the chronic driver shortage, which, according to the International Road Transport Union (IRU), now exceeds half a million vacancies across Europe. The lower minimum age is accompanied by stricter training requirements and the introduction of accompanied driving for professional drivers, allowing them to gain experience alongside an experienced mentor.
The IRU welcomed the measure, noting that enabling young people to begin a professional driving career at 18 makes the road transport sector more attractive to new generations without compromising safety. However, the organisation also highlighted the high costs of entry into the profession: obtaining a heavy vehicle licence and related qualifications costs on average 3.7 times the European monthly minimum wage. The reform seeks to mitigate this barrier through simplified recognition and training procedures.
The Directive also introduces a probationary period of at least two years for newly licensed drivers, during which stricter penalties will apply for serious offences such as drink-driving or improper use of mobile phones. Member States are encouraged to adopt zero-tolerance policies on alcohol and drugs during this period.
To support labour market needs and generational renewal in the sector, accompanied driving from the age of 17 is being extended EU-wide. Initially applicable to category B vehicles, it may also cover heavy vehicles at national level, where permitted. The measure aims to facilitate young people’s entry into professional transport and enhance their skills under supervision.
Another major innovation is the digital driving licence, accessible via the European Digital Identity Wallet. From 2030, this format will become the standard across Member States, while the paper version will remain available. The digital licence, featuring a QR code, will be recognised throughout the EU and usable offline. Member States will have five years and six months from the Directive’s entry into force to implement the system, based on shared and interoperable verification infrastructures.
The reform also standardises licence validity: fifteen years for categories A and B, and five years for categories C and D. Member States may shorten these periods when the licence also serves as an identity document or for drivers over 65, allowing for more frequent medical checks. Before issuance or renewal, drivers will undergo a mandatory medical examination, including eyesight and physical condition assessments.
Training requirements have been updated: theoretical and practical tests will now include modules on blind spot awareness, use of driver-assistance systems, safe door-opening to prevent collisions with cyclists and pedestrians, and prevention of distraction from electronic devices. A mandatory section on hazard perception and sharing the road with vulnerable users is also included.
A key element of the reform is mutual recognition of sanctions. Drivers whose licence is suspended or revoked in one Member State will no longer be allowed to drive in any other EU country. Authorities must inform the issuing State of such decisions within 15 days. This system will be supported by the EU’s Resper and Eucaris networks, already used for exchanging driving licence information.
The Directive also introduces a new B1 category for light quadricycles up to 15 kW and clarifies equivalences for alternatively fuelled vehicles, allowing the 3,500 kg limit to be exceeded due to battery weight, provided the driver has adequate experience. The new rules will enter into force twenty days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States will have three years to transpose them into national law and a further year for implementation. For the digital licence, the implementation period will extend to five years and six months.
