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Date Published: 08/03/2023

ARCHIVED - EU reveals plans to roll out a digital driving licence for all citizens

ARCHIVED ARTICLE -

The European Commission also wants to alter driving tests and introduce tougher restrictions for young motorists

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - EU reveals plans to roll out a digital driving licence for all citizens

While it’s already possible in Spain to carry your driving licence on your smartphone thanks to a handy DGT app, many other countries still require drivers to present the physical card or old paper version. This all looks set to change though as in recent days the European Commission has submitted a proposal to roll-out digital driving licences that will be common throughout the EU.

The plan is to introduce a licence that will be accessible via mobile phone and will be recognised in all EU member states.

There are several practical reasons behind the move, not least of which is the creation of a format that can be easily recognised and verified by the traffic authorities whatever country you’re driving in. One of the main aims, though, is to reduce the road death toll to zero by 2050, and this will require a series of tough measures for new drivers carrying the digital licence.

The EU will be the first region worldwide to have a driving licence that works across borders:

🔹 it will be accessible through a mobile phone, and
🔹 would be recognised throughout the EU.

This would make it easier to replace, renew or exchange a driving licence at EU level. pic.twitter.com/M9MURnlIjR
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) March 1, 2023

Young drivers

With the introduction of the digital driving licence, the EC has recommended that all newly qualified motorists display the ‘L’ plate for two years instead of one. During this period, all of Europe will apply a zero-tolerance policy to alcohol consumption behind the wheel.
In addition, the authorities believe younger people should become accustomed to driving in a more gradual, controlled way and have suggested that youngsters be allowed to take to the roads at the age of 17, provided there is a fully-licenced adult in the car with them.
Finally, a number of recommendations have been made to adapting European driving tests for new motorists so that there’s more focus on vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and electric scooter users.

Other proposed changes

Again regarding driving tests, the plan is to implement a more specific assessment of physical fitness and encourage drivers to update their driving skills and knowledge to keep up with technological advances.
By switching to a EU-wide electronic driving permit, the authorities have stressed that it will be much easier to replace, renew or exchange a driving licence.
The new computerised system will also allow citizens from outside the EU to obtain the European driving license more easily.

This set of proposals has only been submitted for consideration by the European Commission in the past few days so there is no set roll-out period for the new EU digital licence.

Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates

Image: Pixabay

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