EU Expands Driving License Penalties in Case of Serious Road Accidents
The European Parliament and member states agree to enforce driving license suspensions across all EU countries following serious traffic incidents.
The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement to expand driving license suspensions to all 27 EU countries in cases of serious road accidents.
Under the new regulations, restrictions or prohibitions imposed on a driver by one EU member state following a severe traffic accident will apply in the country where the driving license was issued.
This means that the country that issued the license will be required to enforce the ban across the entire EU.
Currently, if a driver loses their license in a member state different from the one that issued it, the sanction only applies in the country where the offense took place.
Matteo Ricci, a Member of the European Parliament who introduced the measure, stated that by establishing clearer and more timely criteria for suspending driving privileges following serious violations, the measure protects not just responsible drivers but also the general public.
In addition to the agreement on license suspensions, the European Parliament and member states also agreed to introduce a digital driving license across the EU by the end of 2030. This digital license, accessible via mobile phones, will hold the same value as a physical driving license, which users will still have the option to request.
Discussions had previously stalled over the requirement of a mandatory medical examination in order to obtain the digital license.
According to the agreement reached, member states will require either a medical examination or a self-assessment screening by the user.
The digital license will be valid for 15 years, after which a renewal process will be required.
New drivers will be subject to a probationary period of at least two years, with stricter rules and penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The agreement regarding the digital license now awaits formal adoption by the Parliament and member states, which is expected to proceed smoothly given the compromise that has been reached.
In 2024, road traffic accidents resulted in 19,800 fatalities in the European Union, representing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the previous year.
However, progress varies significantly across member states.
Sweden and Denmark continue to maintain the safest roads in Europe, with 20 and 24 deaths per million inhabitants, respectively, while Bulgaria and Romania report much higher figures, with 74 and 77 deaths per million inhabitants.
Under the new regulations, restrictions or prohibitions imposed on a driver by one EU member state following a severe traffic accident will apply in the country where the driving license was issued.
This means that the country that issued the license will be required to enforce the ban across the entire EU.
Currently, if a driver loses their license in a member state different from the one that issued it, the sanction only applies in the country where the offense took place.
Matteo Ricci, a Member of the European Parliament who introduced the measure, stated that by establishing clearer and more timely criteria for suspending driving privileges following serious violations, the measure protects not just responsible drivers but also the general public.
In addition to the agreement on license suspensions, the European Parliament and member states also agreed to introduce a digital driving license across the EU by the end of 2030. This digital license, accessible via mobile phones, will hold the same value as a physical driving license, which users will still have the option to request.
Discussions had previously stalled over the requirement of a mandatory medical examination in order to obtain the digital license.
According to the agreement reached, member states will require either a medical examination or a self-assessment screening by the user.
The digital license will be valid for 15 years, after which a renewal process will be required.
New drivers will be subject to a probationary period of at least two years, with stricter rules and penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The agreement regarding the digital license now awaits formal adoption by the Parliament and member states, which is expected to proceed smoothly given the compromise that has been reached.
In 2024, road traffic accidents resulted in 19,800 fatalities in the European Union, representing a slight decrease of 3% compared to the previous year.
However, progress varies significantly across member states.
Sweden and Denmark continue to maintain the safest roads in Europe, with 20 and 24 deaths per million inhabitants, respectively, while Bulgaria and Romania report much higher figures, with 74 and 77 deaths per million inhabitants.
