The European Parliament has passed a landmark package of road safety reforms, introducing a rule that will see driving bans for serious offences enforced across all EU member states — ending the long-standing loophole that allowed offenders to escape penalties by crossing borders.
Until now, drivers banned in one EU country could often continue driving elsewhere, as disqualifications weren’t automatically recognised across borders. This legal gap meant that up to 40% of driving offences committed abroad went unpunished.
Under the new legislation, a driver disqualified for serious offences — including drink-driving, excessive speeding, or causing death or injury — will be banned throughout the EU, regardless of where their licence was issued. Once a ban is imposed, the issuing country must revoke the licence within 15 days.
While some exceptions remain due to varying national laws (such as drink-driving thresholds), the reform is seen as a major step forward. “The decision of suspension and withdrawal will be recognised and enforced throughout Europe,” said Italian MEP Matteo Ricci, who led the bill.
Digital licences and lower age limits
A second reform introduces digital driving licences accessible by smartphone, alongside updated testing standards and a two-year probation period for new drivers. Seventeen-year-olds will be allowed to drive under supervision, while the minimum age for professional truck and bus drivers is being lowered to 18 and 21 respectively — a move aimed at addressing driver shortages across the continent.
However, the age change has sparked concern. “Younger truck drivers are far more likely to be involved in road accidents,” warned Greek MEP Elena Kountoura, who argued that better working conditions, not lower standards, are the answer to staffing gaps.
New training requirements will focus more on road awareness, blind spots, and interaction with vulnerable users like pedestrians and cyclists. Licences will now remain valid for 15 years for private vehicles and five for commercial vehicles, with stricter terms for older drivers.
The reforms will be implemented nationally within three years and support the EU’s ‘Vision Zero’ goal of halving road deaths by 2030. With nearly 20,000 lives lost on Europe’s roads last year, the EU hopes these measures will mark a turning point for safer mobility.
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Photo credit: Randy Tarampi, Unsplash
