The proposal for a European-wide driving license was rejected by a minority of national governments in the Transport Council’s meeting in June 2005.
Transport ministers could not agree on a pan-European license to replace the existing 110 types of licenses that can be found around Europe. Germany, France, Denmark, Austria and Poland created a blocking minority.
They all objcted to the parts of the proposal which would require drivers handing in their current licenses. This objection was rooted in the belief that drivers feel attached to their national licenses and it would be premature and not accepted by the public to exchange their license for a European one.
The negotiations are scheduled to start again after the German elections this fall.
Background information
In October 2003, the European Commission proposed a Directive on Driving Licences , which included some existing provisions and some new ones.
The proposed new driving licence Directive aimed to harmonise licence categories and renewal procedures, and to guarantee complete mutual recognition of driving licences among Member States.
On 23 February 2005, the European Parliament approved the new Directive for a European driving licence. Parliament decided to introduce a deadline of 10 years for the exchange of all paper driving licences and 20 years for all other licences. Contrary to the Commission s proposal, and in line with ETSC s position on the dossier, MEPs voted that the validity of driving licences of people over 65 years of age should not be reduced.
The Directive also regulates the gradual access to motorcycle licences, thereby strengthening the safety of young motorcyclists. To prevent so-called driving licence tourism, persons subject to driving restrictions in one Member State will not be able to apply for a new licence in another Member State.
Regarding medical checks, MEPs left it to Member States. On the issue of people suffering diabetes and requiring insulin treatment, the Parliament chosed the case by case principle: driving licences to these group of people may be issued where duly justified by authorised medical opinion.
The Council will discuss the proposal again in April, and possibly adopt a common position in June 2005.
Technical features
A book on driving licence models [1]. has been drawn up by the Commission. It indexes the various licence models which are still valid and in circulation.
The Verband der Technischen Uberwachungs-Vereine e.V. (VD-TUEV), a German umbrella organisation that sets up guidelines for technical security of automobiles, organised on 17 January 2005 an exhibition about the history of driving licenses in Europe.
Mr Dieter-L. Kock MEP (EPP-ED, D) hosted the event, which was attended by European Commission and national government officials and stakeholders, and which was held in the European Parliament.
Community legislation on Driving Licences
DG Transport dedicated website to driving licences
Memo "Driving licences: ensuring security, safety and free movement", 21 October 2003.
