What changed between the draft committee report of 19 Jul 2023 and the draft committee report of 6 Oct 2025

Removed:Recital 1: (1) The rules on driving licences are essential elements of the common transport policy, contribute to improving road safety, can foster energy efficiency and facilitate the free movement of persons taking up residence in a Member State other than the one issuing the licence. Possession of a driving licence duly recognised by a host Member State facilitates free movement and freedom of establishment of persons. Similarly, any unlawful obtaining of such a document or the right to drive, or the loss of a rightfully gained driving licence by way of unlawful conduct, affects not only the Member State in which such violations were committed but also road safety throughout the Union.

Added:The adopted provisions aim to enhance road safety and facilitate the free movement of persons by introducing mutually recognisable EU mobile driving licences, amending and clarifying minimum age requirements, establishing basic medical fitness requirements and default validity periods for driving licences, as well as strengthening rules for novice drivers, introducing Union-wide accompanied driving schemes for certain categories of licences, and setting specific rules for certain types of vehicles, such as emergency vehicles, motorhomes, or alternatively fuelled vehicles.

Removed:Recital 2: (2) The current framework, should be updated to be fit for the new era, sustainable, inclusive, smart and resilient. It should take into account the need to reduce emissions and energy consumption from transport, digitalisation, the demographic trends and technological developments to reinforce the competitiveness of the European Economy. It is important to simplify and digitise administrative procedures, in order to remove the remaining barriers, such as administrative burdens, to the free movement of the drivers taking up residence in a Member State other than the one issuing the licence. A harmonized Union standard driving licence framework should encompass both physical and mobile driving licences, and provide for their mutual recognition, where they were duly issued in accordance with this Directive.

Added:The agreed text is the result of extensive negotiations. The co-legislators have reached a balanced compromise on the revision of the Driving Licences Directive, ensuring that it reflects current needs and realities.

Removed:Recital 4: (4) It should be ensured that personal data processing for the implementation of this Directive complies with the data protection framework of the Union, in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council53 and Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council53a / 53a Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 2002 concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector, OJ L 201, 31.7.2002, p. 37–47 E-Privacy Directive, which would cover the digital (mobile) driving licences.

Removed:E-Privacy Directive, which would cover the digital (mobile) driving licenses. See EDPS opinion paragraph 8.

Removed:Recital 5: (5) This Directive establishes a legal basis for the storage of an obligatory set of personal data in the physical driving licences and their microchips or QR codes and the mobile driving licences, for the purposes of proving and verifying the person’s right to drive and his or her identity, in order to guarantee a high level of road safety throughout the Union, and in compliance with Article 6(1), point (e) and, where applicable, Article 9(2), point (g) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. Such data should be limited to what is necessary to prove a person’s right to drive, identify this person and verify the person’s driving rights and identity. This Directive also provides for additional safeguards to ensure the protection of personal data disclosed during the verification process.

Removed:EDPS, paragraph 25. Already primary law (Art. 8 Charter of Fundamental Rights) requires that personal data is processed for "specified purposes".

Removed:Recital 10: (10) The digital transformation is one of the Union’s priorities. In the case of road transport, it will contribute to remove the remaining administrative barriers, such as the ones relating to the duration of issuing physical driving licences, to free movement of persons. Therefore, a separate Union standard should be established for the mobile driving licences issued within the Union. In order to facilitate digital transformation mobile driving licences should be issued as default from [date-of-adoption+4four years], without prejudice to the applicant’s right to acquire either a physical one or both at the same time or at a later stage. The physical licence should be delivered within two weeks of its being requested.

Removed:Recital 11: (11) The mobile driving licence should not only contain the information reported on the physical driving licence, but also information allowing to verify the authenticity of the data and a single-use pointer. However it should be ensured that even in such cases the amount of personal data made available is restricted to what would be reported on the physical driving licence and what is strictly necessary for the verification of the authenticity of such data, in particular the electronic signature of the issuing authority. That additional data should be different in case a person holds several mobile driving licences, which is possible provided that they are issued by the same Member State.

Removed:Recital 12: (12) The Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy sets out a vision for the EU to significantly improve sustainability of mobility and transport. Emissions from the road transport sector include greenhouse gases emissions, air pollutants, noise and microplastics from tyre and road wear. Driving style influences these emissions, with possible negative impacts on the environment and human health. Therefore, driving training and testing should equip drivers to reduce their impact on emissions, including through eco-driving, as well as to prepare them to drive zero-emission vehicles.

Removed:Recital 13 a (new): (13a) Obtaining a driving licence is potentially of major importance in fulfilling the mobility needs of millions of European citizens, particularly in rural areas or mobility needs of persons with reduced mobility, nevertheless in some instances its affordability is a barrier. National and regional authorities are thus encouraged to set up targeted financial schemes to make it affordable for those citizens in need and without a realistic alternative, to prevent increased mobility poverty.

Removed:Recital 14: (14) Driving licences should be categorised according to the types of vehicles they provide the right to drive to. This should be done in a clear and coherent manner and in full respect of the technical characteristics of the vehicles concerned, according to essential aspects of road safety such as mass and speed, and the skills needed to drive them.

Removed:Recital 15: (15) In accordance with United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of 13 December 2006, to which the EU has been a Party since 21 January 2011, specific provisions should be adopted to make it easier for persons with disabilities to drive vehicles. Moreover, persons with reduced mobility, regardless of their ability to drive a vehicle, need to enjoy their mobility rights in order to prevent a form of transport poverty. Giving effect to those mobility rights could entail the use of adapted individual or collective vehicles, including special features or equipment. As such, with the prior agreement of the Commission, Member States should be allowed to exclude from the application of Article 6 certain specific types of power-driven vehicles and a degree of flexibility should be envisaged for specific vehicles, such as ambulances.

Removed:Recital 16: (16) The minimum ages of applicants for the different categories of driving licences should be set at Union level. Nevertheless, Member States should be allowed to set a higher age limit for the driving of certain categories of vehicles in order to further promote road safety.

Removed:Recital 16 a (new): (16a) In order to ensure widespread comprehensive knowledge of driving rules and safety measures such as seat belts and helmet use, and in particular the safe interaction of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists, with motorised vehicles, Member States should introduce in their mandatory school curricula, no later than in secondary education, a minimum amount of road safety instruction. That road safety instruction should include adequate information on mobility alternatives for different types of journeys and the health and environmental impacts of such choices, with particular emphasis on the benefits of active mobility.

Removed:Recital 16 b (new): (16b) Young drivers are in general less risk averse and are statistically more subject to road accidents and fatalities. Together with driving experience, the intellectual and psychological maturity of adult drivers is an important factor in adequately judging and minimising the risks associated with driving. Setting an adequate minimum age for licences in each category, both for particular and professional driving, together with particular restrictions and stricter conditions for novice drivers regarding inter alia speed and alcohol limits, is an essential element in the achievement of "Vision Zero".

Removed:Recital 17: (17) A system of staging - namely establishing the entitlement for a category B driving licence as a prerequisite for the applicant to become eligible to hold certain other categories, such as the B+ category - and equivalences between categories should be established, including a minimum period of experience before eligibility. Such system should be binding on all Member States, but should also grant Member States the possibility to apply it between each other in their respective territories.

Removed:Recital 17 a (new): (17a) The heavy passenger cars and pick ups (SUVs) are not only taking up more space and are less energy efficient, consequently consuming more fuel and producing a higher level of emissions but, in terms of road safety, they are more likely to be subject to collisions than light passenger cars, with far more serious consequences. As initially designed, the B category licence is not completely suitable for the heaviest passenger cars. A new driving licence category – the B+ category - should therefore be established for cars, as well N1 vans, weighing more than 1 800 kg. Drivers should only be eligible for this this licence category after gaining a minimum period of experience within the context of their category B licences. However, the current B category driving licence would allow a driver to drive a passenger car of up to 1,8 tonnes, which is still the vast majority of private vehicles available on the market, even with electric batteries. However, exemptions for professional or special usage reasons, should be possible, particularly in order to promote fleet renewal leading to a shift to zero emission vehicles, since such a shift might make further training or certification of drivers necessary.

Removed:Recital 17 b (new): (17b) Speed is a very important factor when it comes to road crashes and fatalities, as 30 % of road accidents involve speeding. A staged approach regarding speed limitations on driving licences, both for cars and motorcycles, can positively contribute to reduce the number of fatalities and the severity of the accidents overall.

Removed:Recital 18: (18) On the grounds of road safety, it is necessary to lay down the minimum requirements for the issue of a driving licence. Standards for driving tests and licensing should be harmonised, including both theoretical and practical tests for each category. To that end, the knowledge, skills and behaviour connected with driving power-driven vehicles should be specified, the driving test should be based on these concepts and be of appropriate and sufficient duration to enable the different competences to be duly examined. In addition, the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving such vehicles should be specified. Theoretical training and exams should incorporate knowledge requirements on the existence of modal choice with alternatives to private car in certain journeys, alongside the environmental and health impact of such choices, as well as the existence of Urban Vehicle Access Restrictions and Low Emission Zones.

Removed:Recital 18 a (new): (18a) It is important that before being granted a driving licence in any category, candidates successfully complete theoretical and practical tests, demonstrating that they have sufficient knowledge and a proven degree of expertise. Driver trainers should be required to fulfil strict minimum education and competency requriements and in particular to demonstrate appropriate communication skills. They should be required to complete initial training, including hazard perception training, and to attend periodic training to update their knowledge and skills. Training by a qualified instructor who can certify, among others, notions of first aid and eco-driving remains a logical approach in terms of road safety, as well as energy saving and emissions avoidance. Such instruction is crucial in order to ensure that candidates pay due attention to, and interact safely with vulnerable road users. Such instruction should include the proper use of direction indicators and minimising danger, also when alighting from vehicles. It is therefore necessary to establish on a Union wide basis a minimum number of hours of driving instruction and to define quality standards for types of training based on competences that candidates have to acquire. Training should encourage young learners to think about their limitations as a road user, their motives for wanting to learn to drive or ride a vehicle, their attitude to safety and the specific risks they face, in line with the Goals for a Driver Educati…

Removed:Recital 19: (19) Proof of compliance with minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving by drivers of vehicles used for the transport of persons or goods should be provided when the driving licence is issued and periodically thereafter. Such regular control in accordance with national rules of compliance with minimum standards would contribute to the free movement of persons, avoid distortions of competition and better take into account the specific responsibility of drivers of such vehicles. Member States should impose medical examinations as a guarantee of compliance with the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving other power-driven vehicles. For reasons of transparency, such examinations should coincide with a renewal of driving licences.

Removed:Recital 20: (20) In order to ensure uniform rights across the Union, taking into account also considerations of road safety, driving licences of categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and B+ should have an administrative validity of 10 years, while categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 and D1E shall have an administrative validity of five years. Member States should be allowed to define shorter period in exceptional cases, as defined by this Directive.

Removed:Recital 20 a (new): (20a) Refresher courses for experienced drivers can only have a positive impact on road safety, resulting in updating skills and incorporating knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies and advanced driver assistance systems, as well as latest regulatory framework on Urban Vehicle Access Restrictions and Low Emission Zones. In certain circumstances, the confirmation or renewal of a driving licence should be associated with additional procedures. For example, novice drivers at the end of their probationary period and drivers applying for renewal, who are suffering from a chronic disease or are over 60 years of age, could be required to undergo additional medical examinations or an instruction and fitness-to-drive certification session.

Removed:Recital 23: (23) For reasons connected with road safety, Member States should be able to apply their national provisions on the withdrawal, suspension, renewal and cancellation of driving licences, as well as their demerit point systems, to all licence holders having acquired normal residence in their territory.

Removed:Recital 23 a (new): (23a) Demerit point systems1a are known to reduce collisions and deaths when coupled with increased enforcement, effective follow-up and communication campaigns. Their introduction together with such implementation measures has resulted in a decrease of between 15 to 20 % in the number of collisions, deaths and injuries. The move from pre-existing systems, based on pay-to-comply logic, to those based on demerit points clearly contributed to the decreasing trend of road deaths in Member States where data is available. In particular, the demerit system appeared to be more effective than pre-existing systems in bringing about the necessary behavioural changes among those with greater financial means. It also avoided social inequalities resulting from the greater ability of offenders from higher socioeconomic groups to pay fines rather than face non-financial penalties, such as disqualification. An EU-wide demerit point system should be established, building up on the Member States’ own systems with the creation of equivalences. / 1a Van Schagen I., Machata K. (2012), The BestPoint Handbook: Getting the best out of a Demerit Point System. EU funded project, https://bit.ly/3y9YqmL

Removed:Recital 27: (27) “Driving licence tourism”, namely the practice of changing residence for the purpose of acquiring a new driving licence, in order to circumvent the effects of a driving disqualification imposed in another Member State, is a wide-spread phenomenon, which has a negative effect on road safety. Drivers should not be exempted from requirements imposed on them to recover their right to drive or their driving licence, by changing their residence. A common demerit point system, properly enforced across borders, and combined with the [proposal for directive on EU-wide driving disqualifications] can positively contribute to tackling difficulties in enforcement and avoid situations where relevant offences which pose road safety risks are cumulated in different Member States without any real effect on or behavioural change by the offender.

Removed:Recital 28: deleted

Removed:Recital 29: deleted

Removed:Recital 30: (30) It should be ensured that drivers who newly acquire their driving licence in a given category do not endanger road safety on account of their inexperience. For those novice drivers a probationary period of two years should be established, during which they should be subjected to stricter rules and penalties Union-wide when breaking them, due to the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding or using unauthorised vehicles. The penalties for such conduct should be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non-discriminatory and their severity should to the furthest extent possible take into account the Union’s mid-term and long-term goals of halving and nearly eliminating deaths and serious injuries. As regards extending those restrictions or increased penalties to all drivers, or imposing any other restrictions, also on novice drivers, Member States should be allowed to freely implement additional rules in their territory.

Removed:Recital 31: (31) Minimum standards concerning access to the profession of examiner and examiner training requirements should be established in order to improve the knowledge and skills of examiners thereby ensuring a more objective evaluation of driving licence applicants and achieving greater harmonisation of driving tests. Minimum standards for instructors and their training, as well as for minimum instruction requirements, including aspects such as first-aid, eco-driving and safe interaction with vulnerable road users, should also be established. The Commission should be empowered, moreover, to adopt delegated acts to amend and adapt those minimum standards to any technical, operational or scientific developments in this field, including new advanced driver assistance systems, where it becomes necessary.

Removed:Recital 32: (32) The concept of normal residence should be defined, in a way that enables resolving issues arising where it is not possible to establish normal residence on the basis of occupational or familial ties. It is also necessary to provide for the possibility for applicants to take the theoretical or practical tests in the Member State of their citizenship in the cases where their Member State of normal residence does not provide the opportunity to take those tests in the official language of the former. Specific rules could be established for diplomats and their families, where their mission requires them to live abroad for an extended period of time, provided this does not entail additional road safety risks.

Removed:Recital 33: (33) Member States should assist each other in the implementation of this Directive. Where possible they should use the EU driving licence network in order to provide such assistance. The EU driving licence network, commonly referred to as ‘RESPER’ is a hub for the exchange of information between national authorities responsible for issuing driving licences and facilitating the implementation of this Directive, including the timely exchange of demerit points related to offences in different Member States.

Removed:Recital 34: (34) The EU driving licence network aims to guarantee the recognition of documents and acquired rights originating in Member States, combat document fraud, avoid the issuance of multiple licences and facilitate the enforcement of driving disqualifications. It should also from now on ensure the timely exchange of demerit points related to offences in different Member States. In particular, Member States should be given the possibility to systematically verify that the reasons, that led to any previously imposed restrictions, suspensions, withdrawals or cancellations of a driving licence or the right to drive, have disappeared. The use of RESPER for the implementation of other acts of the Union should only be permitted as long as those uses are explicitly provided for by this Directive.

Removed:Recital 35: (35) In order to enable the preparation of meaningful reports on the implementation of this Directive, the Commission should receive information on a yearly basis regarding the number of driving licences issued, renewed, replaced, withdrawn and exchanged, for each category, including data on the issuance and use of mobile driving licences, as well as on the trends regarding demerit points, including the exchange of information in their regard, and the enforcement thereof.

Removed:Recital 36: (36) In order to achieve the objectives of this Directive, in particular to adjust its Annexes to any technical, operational or scientific developments, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of amending Parts A, B and D of Annex I that governs the specifications of physical driving licences; amending Part C of Annex I that lays down the specifications for mobile driving licences; amending Part E of Annex I that governs the rules on the applicable national and Union codes; amending Annexes II, III, V and VI specifying certain minimum requirements concerning the issuance, validity and renewal of driving licences; and amending Annex IV laying down the minimum standards for examiners, as well as Annex VIa on minimum instruction requirements. Such empowerment should be granted for a period of five years, given the fact that technical, operational and scientific developments in the matters governed by these Annexes occur on a frequent basis. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making56 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member …

Removed:Recital 38: (38) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Directive, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission to specify interoperability features and security measures applicable to the QR codes introduced on physical driving licences; provisions related to interoperability, security and testing of mobile driving licences; the extension of the period of administrative validity of driving licences across the Union in case of a crisis; the conditions of the exchange of driving licences from third countries for driving licences issued by Member States without recording the fact of exchange on the driving licence; as well as interoperability between national systems connected to the EU driving licence network and the protection of personal data exchanged in that context. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council57 .

Removed:Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d) certain aspects applicable inter alia to novice drivers.

Removed:Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1: (1) ‘driving licence’ means an electronic or physical document that certifies the right to drive power-driven vehicles and states the conditions under which the holder is authorised to drive, including a demerit point system;

Removed:Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11 a (new): (11a) ‘ambulance’ means a vehicle of category M intended for the transport of sick or injured persons and having special equipment for such purpose, as referred to in Annex I, Part A, point 5.3. to Regulation (EU) No 2018/858;

Removed:Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 11 b (new): (11b) "vulnerable road users" means non-motorised road users, including, in particular, cyclists and pedestrians, as well as users of powered two-wheelers and users of personal mobility devices;

Removed:RISM Directive definition 2019/1936, with additional inclusion to personal mobility devices (eScooters).

Removed:Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 a (new): (12a) ‘demerit point system’ means a comparable system that quantitatively assigns or detracts penalty points cumulatively and results in additional consequences when the level of repeat offending has resulted in a certain number of penalty points being collected or lost, with particular conditions for novice drivers, and which can lead to a driving disqualification;

Removed:Article 3 – paragraph 5: 5. By way of derogation from paragraph 4, upon request of the applicant, Member States shall provide the opportunity for a physical driving licence to be issued instead of, or together with, a mobile driving licence. In the event of a subsequent request for a physical licence by the holder of a mobile driving licence occurring at a moment later in time, the physical version shall be provided no later than two weeks from the date of the request.

Removed:Article 4 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1: Member States may decide to introduce a storage medium (microchip) as part of the physical driving licence. Where a Member State decides to introduce a microchip as part of their physical driving licence it may, where its national laws related to driving licences provide for it, also decide to store data additional to what is specified in Annex I, Part D, on the microchip. Any data stored on that microchip shall only be retained until the end of the validity period of the driving licence.

Removed:EDPS opinion, paragraph 26.

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2: These applications may be based on the European Digital Identity Wallets issued in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council62, or may be independent of the European Digital Identity Wallet, at the free choice of the applicant.

Removed:EDPS opinion paragraph 24. .

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2: Member States shall ensure that the electronic applications do not contain more data than referred to in Annex I, Part D.

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2: Member States shall ensure that the personal data necessary for the verification of the driving rights of the holder of the mobile driving licence is not retained by the verifier and that the issuing authority of the driving licence has not been informed of the verification request.

Removed:Aligned with Article 4(7).The Digital Covid Certificate e.g. can be verified by checking the authenticity of its electronic signature without asking the issuing authority. If certificates are revoked, this is done through publishing a revocation list that only contains the identifier of the certificate, no other personal information, so nobody else can see which certificates have been revoked. Note that this goes further than EDPS para 21, but has already been done before (Digital Covid Certificate).

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 5: 5. Member States shall inform the Commission of the list of relevant national systems authorised to issue data for mobile driving licences. The Commission shall make available to the public, through a secure channel, the list of such national systems of the Member States, in an electronically signed or sealed form suitable for automated processing.

Removed:Article 5 – paragraph 7: 7. By [date-of-adoption+18 months], the Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down detailed provisions concerning the interoperability, security and testing of mobile driving licences, including verification features and the interface with national systems. Those implementing acts shall also take into account the necessary requirements to ensure recognition by third country authorities. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 22(2).

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 2: — light quadricycles, with a maximum speed of not more than 45 km/h;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i – indent 2 a (new): - without prejudice to the speed limitation in each of the roads set by the national authorities, the absolute maximum allowed speed by Member States for drivers under category A1 shall not exceed 90 km/h;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii – indent 1 a (new): - without prejudice to the speed limitation in each of the roads set by the national authorities, the absolute maximum allowed speed by Member States for drivers under category A2 shall not exceed 100 km/h;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii – indent 2 a (new): - without prejudice to the speed limitation in each of the roads set by the national authorities, the absolute maximum allowed speed by Member States for drivers under category A shall not exceed 110 km/h;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i – indent 1 – paragraph 1: heavy quadricycles with a maximum speed not exceeding 90 km/h;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i – indent 1 – paragraph 2: Category B1 is optional; in Member States which do not introduce this category of driving licence, a driving licence for category B or B+ shall be required to drive such vehicles;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i – indent 1 – paragraph 3: deleted

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 1: — motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 1 800 kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 1 a (new): - without prejudice to the speed limitation in each of the roads set by the national authorities, the absolute maximum allowed speed by Member States for drivers under category B shall not exceed 110 km/h;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 2 – paragraph 2: deleted / (deleted) / (deleted)

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 2 – paragraph 3: deleted

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 2 – paragraph 4: deleted

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii a (new): (ii a) category B+ : / – motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3 500 kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; / – motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed 750 kg; / Without prejudice to the speed limitation in each of the roads set by the national authorities, the absolute maximum allowed speed by Member States for drivers under category B+ shall not exceed 130 km/h; / Without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 750 kg, provided that the maximum authorised mass of this combination does not exceed 4 250 kg. Where such a combination exceeds 3 500 kg, Member States shall, in accordance with the provisions of Annex V, require that this combination only be driven after: / – a training has been completed, or / – a test of skills and behaviour has been passed. / Member States may also require both such a training and the passing of a test of skills and behaviour. / Member States shall indicate the entitlement to drive such a combination on the driving licence by means of the relevant Union code specified in Annex I, Part E.

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii – indent 1: — without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combination of vehicles consisting of a tractor vehicle in category B or B+ and a trailer or semi-trailer where the maximum authorised mass of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3 500 kg;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point v – indent 2: — without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category B or B+ and its trailer or semi-trailer has an authorised mass of over 3 500 kg, provided that the authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 000 kg;

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point viii – indent 1: — motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than 22 passengers in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 meters.

Removed:Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2: Member States may exclude from the application of this Directive types of vehicles used by, or under the control of, the armed forces and civil defence or civil protection. They shall inform the Commission thereof. The exclusion shall be mutually recognised by the Member States.

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) 16 years for categories AM and B1;

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) 18 years for categories A1, A2, B, BE, C1 and C1E;

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i: (i) 20 years for motorcycles. However, access to the driving of motorcycles of this category shall be subject to a minimum of two years’ experience on motorcycles under an A2 licence.

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new): (ca) 21 years for the category B+;

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – introductory part: 2. Member States may raise the minimum age for issuing a driving licence:

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) for category AM up to 18 years;

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c – introductory part: (c) for category A2 up to 20 years, provided that both of the following conditions are fulfilled:

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new): (ca) for category A, up to 22 years;

Removed:Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d: deleted

Removed:Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1: Member States shall mark driving licences issued to a person subject to one or more conditions under which he or she is authorised to drive. To that end Member States shall use the corresponding Union codes provided for in Annex I, Part E. They may also use national codes for conditions not covered by Annex I, Part E. Such instances shall be reported to the Commission.

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 1: 1. Driving licences for categories B+, C1, C, D1 and D shall be issued only to drivers already entitled to drive vehicles in category B.

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new): Driving licences for categories BE, C1E, CE, D1E and DE shall be issued only to drivers already entitled to drive vehicles in categories B or B+, C1, C, D1 and D respectively.

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 b (new): The B+ licence category can be obtained only after successful completion of the probationary period of two years of B licence category;

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b: deleted

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c: deleted

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point e: (e) licences issued for any category shall be valid for vehicles in category AM conditional upon the successful completion of minimum requirements of motorcycle practical training, except for holders of A1, A2 and A licences. However, for driving licences issued on its territory, a Member State may limit the equivalences for category AM to categories A1, A2 and A, if that Member State imposes a practical test as a condition for obtaining category AM;

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point g: (g) licences issued for categories A, B and B+, C or D shall be valid for categories A1, A2, B1, C1, or D1 respectively;

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point h: (h) upon obtaining licence category B+ or two years after a driving licence, granted for category B was issued for the first time it shall be valid for driving the alternatively fuelled vehicles referred to in Article 2 of Council Directive 96/53/EC63 with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 4 250 kg without a trailer, provided they are used for special public services such as ambulances, or for regular professional activities and linked to fleet renewal to zero-emission vehicles, subject to specific training and certification.

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new): (ha) licence category B+ shall be valid for driving special usage vehicles up to 4 250 kg.

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a: (a) powered tricycles under a licence for category B or B+, for powered tricycles with a power exceeding 15 kW provided that the holder of the licence for category B is at least 21 years old;

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b: (b) category A1 motorcycles under a licence for category B or B+, conditional upon the successful completion of minimum requirements of motorcycle practical training;

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a: (a) vehicles of category D1 with a maximum authorised mass of 3 500 kg, excluding any specialised equipment intended for the carriage of passengers with disabilities, by drivers over 21 years old holding a driving licence granted for category B, at least two years after such a driving licence was issued for the first time or upon obtaining license category B+, and provided that the vehicles are being used by non-commercial bodies for social purposes and that the driver provides his or her services on a voluntary basis;

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point b – introductory part: (b) vehicles of a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg, but not above 5 000 kg, by drivers over 21 years old holding a driving licence granted for category B, at least two years after such a driving licence was issued for the first time, or upon obtaining of B+ category licence, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c: deleted

Removed:Article 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c a (new): (ca) vehicles of category D or D1 to drivers holding a category C licence, for tests, transfer, necessary maintenance or inspection drive purposes, provided there is no passenger therein.

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) they have successfully completed at least the minimum theoretical and practical instruction requirements set out in Annex VIa and subsequently passed a theoretical test and a skills and behaviour test, respectively, and who meet the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving , in accordance with the provisions of Annexes II and III;

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – paragraph 1: as regards category AM they have passed a theory test, a medical examination and completed a minimum certified training referred to in Annex VIa for this category.

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new): (ba) as regards category A1: / (i) passed a test of skills and behaviour, and / (ii) completed a training pursuant to Annex VIa for this category, except if they have acquired a minimum of two years’ experience on a motorcycle in category AM;

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d) they have completed a training or passed a test of skills and behaviour, or completed a training and passed a test of skills and behaviour pursuant to Annex V as regards category B or B+ for driving a vehicle combination referred to in Article 6(1), point (c)(ii), third paragraph;

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. Member States shall adopt the necessary provisions in order to ensure that persons who have a disability and whose test is carried out in a vehicle adapted for their disability are exempted from undertaking tasks incompatible with their disability.

Removed:The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that obliges member states to take all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures to amend or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that are a source of discrimination against persons with disabilities. This provision is purposely general so as not to have to list all possible impairments and instead leave to the discretion -and obligation- of the examiner to determine the applicable exemptions with regard to the applicant’s impairment on a case-by-case basis.

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a: (a) 10 years for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B+, B1 and BE;

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4: Member States shall limit the period of administrative validity of driving licences issued to novice drivers within the meaning of Article 15(1) and subject to the conditions therein, for any category in order to apply specific measures to such drivers, for the purpose of improving their road safety.

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 6: In order to apply an increased frequency of medical checks or other specific measures, including refresher courses, Member States shall reduce the periods of administrative validity set out in the first subparagraph as follows: / (i) to seven years or less for driving licences of holders residing on their territory who have reached the age of 60 years; / (ii) to five years or less for driving licences of holders residing on their territory who have reached the age of 70 years; / (iii) to two years or less for driving licences of holders residing on their territory who have reached the age of 80 years; / Member States may establish a compulsory monitoring session or refresher course with an instructor, particularly in cases where general medical examinations cast doubts on the actual fitness to drive of the licence holder, as a means of certification of its conclusion, as a condition to conclude the renewal process. / This reduced period of administrative validity shall only be applied upon renewal of the driving licence.

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1: When issuing or renewing driving licences in categories AM, A, A1, A2, B, B+, B1 and BE, Member States shall require an examination applying the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving set out in Annex III. In that case, the medical examination shall cover all the medical incapacities mentioned in Annex III.

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2: deleted

Removed:Article 10 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1: No person may hold more than one physical driving licence. A person may however hold several digital copies of a mobile driving licence, provided that these are issued by the same Member State.

Removed:Article 12 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2: Where the Commission identifies such a third country, it may assess the third country’s road transport framework in cooperation with the Member States. Member States shall have six months to provide their opinion on the road transport framework in place in the identified third country. The Commission shall proceed with the assessment once it has received an opinion from all Member States or once the time limit for sending the opinions has passed, whichever is earlier.

Removed:Article 12 – paragraph 8 a (new): 8a. The Commission may assess whether a third country has professional driver training and/or certification rules and examination procedures that are wholly or partially comparable to those of the Union, as well as a level of road safety that is comparable to that of the Union, which would justify allowing the holder of a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), or equivalent issued by the third country to be exchanged for a new CPC, issued by a Member State. / On the basis of the assessment, the Commission may adopt an implementing act allowing that exchange on condition that the holder of the CPC completes additional competence training of up to 35 hours to be conducted in the most practicable language, with, if necessary, appropriate language support, in line with the provisions of the EU Driver Training Directive (EU) 2022/2561, to ensure high level of competence and road safety. / Member States shall have six months to provide their opinion on the Commission assessment regarding this third country. The implementing act shall not apply until the Commission has received an opinion from all Member States or until six months from the entry into force of the implementing act concerned, whichever is the earlier .

Removed:Article 12 – paragraph 9: 9. The Commission shall publish in the Official Journal of the European Union and on its website a list of the third countries that have been the object of an implementing decision in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8a, and shall also publish accordingly any relevant changes made in accordance with paragraph 8.

Removed:Article 13 a (new): Article 13a / Demerit point system / By 31 December 2025, Member States shall establish a demerit point system, with cumulative effect, which results in additional punishment when the level of repeat offending has resulted in a certain number of penalty points being collected or lost. That additional punishment may include disqualification. / The system shall include a set of fixed penalties for at least the major road safety related offences included in the [Proposal for a Directive on cross-border enforcement of traffic offences 2023/0052(COD)]. Member States shall introduce stricter demerit point systems during a probationary period for newly-licenced drivers with penalties such as loss of licence or mandatory traffic risk awareness training. Member States may establish bonification schemes for good behaviour and non-recurrent patterns for minor offences. / The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 21 to establish the necessary equivalences between systems, including if necessary reference values at Union level that offer guidance to national authorities in their interpretation and make it possible to determine whether the cumulation of offences in different Member States can lead to an EU-wide disqualification, pursuant to the [Proposal of Directive on EU-wide driving disqualification, 2023/055(COD)].

Removed:Article 14: deleted / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)

Removed:Article 15 – paragraph 2: 2. Member States shall lay down rules on penalties for novice drivers who drive with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.0g/mL and take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non-discriminatory. Member States may extend the application of the 0.0 g/mL limit to all drivers.

Removed:Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. Member States shall establish specific rules applicable to novice drivers regarding speed, by lowering down the maximum authorised speed outside the urban areas if that maximum authorised speed is higher or equal to 90 km/h. Member States shall lay down rules on penalties for novice drivers regarding the maximum authorised speed and take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non‐discriminatory.

Removed:Article 15 – paragraph 2 b (new): 2b. Member States shall establish specific rules applicable to novice drivers of category B licences regarding the mass of vehicles, by restricting the maximum authorised mass of vehicles that are eligible to be driven by them to 1 800 kg. Member States shall lay down rules on penalties for novice drivers regarding the maximum authorised mass of vehicle driven and take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non‐discriminatory.

Removed:Article 15 – paragraph 2 c (new): 2c. Member States may establish specific rules applicable to novice drivers in order to limit night-driving from midnight to 6.00 am. If they do so, they shall lay down rules on penalties for novice drivers regarding the limit to night-time driving and take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non‐discriminatory.

Removed:Article 15 – paragraph 3: 3. Member States may establish additional rules applicable on their territory to novice drivers during the probationary period to improve road safety, such as a zero tolerance system for illicit psychoactive drugs using the lowest limit of quantification that takes account of passive or accidental exposure. They shall inform the Commission thereof. Member States may extend the application of the zero tolerance system for illicit psychoactive drugs to all drivers.

Removed:Article 15 – paragraph 4 a (new): 4a. Member States shall establish a compulsory feedback session for the novice driver with an instructor at the end of probationary period, as a means of certification of its conclusion, in order to enable the waiving of any related restrictions.

Removed:Article 15 – paragraph 5 a (new): 5a. For drivers obtaining a new category within their driving licence after having completed the full probationary period of category B, the probationary period for that new category may be halved.

Removed:Article 16 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2: Driving examiners already working in that capacity before the entry into force of this Directive shall be subject only to the requirements concerning quality assurance and regular periodic training measures.

Removed:Article 16 a (new): Article 16a / Instructors / 1. Driving instructors shall meet the minimum standards set out in Annex VIa. / Driving instructors already working in that capacity before the entry into force of this Directive shall be subject only to the requirements concerning quality assurance and regular periodic training measures. / 2. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 21, to amend Annex VIa where necessary in order to take account of technical, operational or scientific developments

Removed:Article 18 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall apply the equivalences established by Commission Decision (EU) 2016/194564 between entitlements obtained before the entry into force of this Directive and the categories set out in Article 6 of this Directive.

Removed:Article 18 – paragraph 2: 2. Any entitlement to drive granted before the entry into force of this Directive shall not be removed or in any way qualified by the provisions of this Directive.

Removed:Article 19 – paragraph 1: 1. Member States shall assist one another in the implementation of this Directive. They shall exchange information on the licences they have issued, exchanged, replaced, renewed, restricted, suspended, withdrawn, cancelled or revoked, on the demerit points and the driving disqualifications they have imposed or plan to enact and consult each other in order to verify whether an applicant for a driving licence is not subject to a driving disqualification in any Member State. They shall use the EU driving licence network set up for those purposes.

Removed:Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point c: deleted

Removed:Based on EDPS Opinion paragraph 19.Neither COM proposal, nor EP position on Prüm II (automated data exchange among police authorities) have driving licenses.

Removed:Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new): (da) to update and exchange timely data on the demerit points accumulated by drivers in the different Member States;

Removed:Directive (EU) 2022/2561

Removed:Article 23 – paragraph 1, Article 5 – paragraph 2: deleted / (deleted)

Removed:Directive (EU) 2022/2561

Removed:Article 23 – paragraph 1 a (new), Article 5 – paragraph 3 (new): Paragraph 5(3) is replaced by the following: / (i) a vehicle in driving licence categories D and D + E to carry passengers on regular services and a vehicle in driving licence categories D1 and D1 + E, provided that they hold a CPC as referred to in Article 6(1) or (2), provided that the driving speed is below 80 km/h for the whole itinerary. / Any Member State may authorise drivers of vehicles in one of those categories, under the conditions above, to drive such vehicles within its territory from the age of 20 years, provided that they hold a CPC as referred to in Article 6(1); / (deleted) / (deleted)

Removed:Annex I – Part B1 – point 4 – point 3 – paragraph 2 – point d: deleted

Removed:Annex I – Part B1 – point 4 – point 3 – paragraph 2 – point e: deleted

Removed:Annex I – Part B1 – point 6 – point 2 – paragraph 3 – point a: (a) vehicle category codes shall be presented as defined in Article 6 (such as AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, B+, etc.);

Removed:Annex I – Part C – point 5 – paragraph 4: deleted

Removed:This would mean that the issuing authority is always aware whenever somebody verifies a driving license.Same logic of privacy as with the COVID certificate should apply.

Removed:Annex I – Part C – point 5 – paragraph 5: The information transmitted directly from the application shall allow competent authorities to determine the driving rights of the holder of the mobile driving licence (verification), including any restrictions applicable in the Union or in the territory of a Member State. Member States shall not consider data valid when the number of the driving licence is included in the revocation list managed by the Member State which issued the mobile driving licence. A revocation list shall contain information on all driving licences which no longer entitle their holders to exercise the right to drive.

Removed:Same functionality as for the Digital COVID Certificate, in a privacy-friendly logic.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2 a (new): - impacts on the risk of distraction due to the use of GSM or other electronic devices while driving and safety consequences;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – indent 2: – risks involved in the movement and driving of various types of vehicles and of the different fields of view of their drivers, including vehicles with advanced driving assistance systems and other automation features and large passenger cars such as SUVs;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point d – indent 2 a (new): - blind spots and gradient changes;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new): (da) proper and timely use of direction indicators;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point e – indent 2 a (new): - rules on how to behave if an emergency vehicle is approaching and what to do at the site of a collision;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point f: (f) precautions necessary when alighting from the vehicle, including ensuring that it is safe to open the vehicle door and that this will not create a hazard for other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and micro-mobility users;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point i: (i) rules and aspects regarding vehicle use in relation to the environment, including as regards electrical vehicles: appropriate use of audible warning devices, moderate fuel/energy consumption, limitation of emissions (greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, noise and microplastics from tyre, brake and road wear etc.).

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point i a (new): (ia) basic knowledge and being capable of using first aid equipment and being capable to provide first aid.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point i b (new): (ib) risks involved in the interaction between different vehicle types due to different scale and driving dynamics.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point i c (new): (ic) safe interaction with advanced driver assistance systems functions and their associated advantages, limitations and risks;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point i d (new): (id) basic regulatory framework on urban vehicle access restrictions, including low emission zones;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point i e (new): (ie) modal alternatives and optimal choice in relation to the nature of the journey, with special emphasis on the active mobility benefits for short distances;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 4 – point 1 – point f a (new): (fa) purpose and use of retarders/exhaust and brakes;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 4 – point 1 – point g: (g) obstruction of the field of view caused by the characteristics of their vehicles, particularly regarding pedestrians at the front of the vehicle and cyclists at the side and front of the vehicle;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 4 – point 1 – point h a (new): (ha) defensive and eco-driving: distance to the vehicle in front; curve overtaking, change of lane, priority rules, speed limits;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 4 – point 1 – point i a (new): (ia) safety measures, procedures and protocoles regarding safe parking areas;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point A – point 4 – point 1 – point j: (j) the driver’s responsibility in respect to the carriage of passengers; comfort and safety of passengers, and in particular persons with disabilities and reduced mobility, as well as gender-based harassment and violence; transport of children; necessary checks before driving away; all sorts of buses shall be part of the theory test (public service buses and coaches, buses with special dimensions, …) (categories D, DE, D1, D1E only).

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 5 – point 1 – point c – paragraph 1: The Union code marked on a driving licence of category A1, A2, A, B1, B, B+ and BE issued on the basis of a test of skills and behaviour taken on a vehicle with automatic transmission shall not be imposed or shall be removed if the holder passes a dedicated test of skills and behaviour or completes a dedicated training.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 5 – point 1 – point c – paragraph 2 – point i: (i) approve and supervise the dedicated training, including as part of the general driver training; or,

Removed:With the increase in electric driving and its growing share of new sales (2035 EU requirement 100% zero emission) more and more new drivers are coming into touch with driving an electric vehicle. Young people increasingly want driver training in an electric vehicle for sustainability reasons or because they have access to an electric vehicle at home, and driving schools are progressively adapting their fleet to these demands.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 5 – point 2 – point d a (new): (da) Category B+: / A four-wheeled category B vehicle, with a minimum weight of 3 000 kg, capable of a speed of at least 120 km/h;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 6 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point g: (g) overtaking/passing: overtaking other traffic, including cyclists, micro-mobility users, pedestrians; riding alongside obstacles, for instance parked cars; being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate);

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 6 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point h: (h) special road features (if available): roundabouts; railway level crossings; tram/bus stops; pedestrian crossings, bike lanes; riding up-/downhill on long slopes; tunnels;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 6 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new): (ha) interaction with other vehicles, including foreseeing blind spots and adequate use of direction indicators;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 6 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point j: (j) taking the necessary precautions when getting off the vehicle, especially regarding cyclists, such as opening the door with the hand furthest from it.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – introductory part: 7. Skills and behaviour to be tested concerning categories B, B+, B1 and BE

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 2 – introductory part: (2) Categories B, B+, and B1: special manoeuvres to be tested with a bearing on road safety

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point g: (g) overtaking/passing: overtaking other road users, including cyclists (if possible); driving alongside obstacles, for instance parked cars; being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate);

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new): (ga) independent driving towards a determined destination, beyond specific turning indications;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point h: (h) special road features (if available): roundabouts; railway level crossings; tram/bus stops; pedestrian crossings; bike lanes; riding up-/downhill on long slopes; gradient changes; tunnels;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new): (ha) interaction with other road users, including foreseeing blind spots and adequate use of direction indicators;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point i: (i) entering and alighting from the vehicle, including making sure that it is safe to open the vehicle door and that this will not create a hazard for other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and micro-mobility users;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point j: (j) reacting and anticipating to hazardous situations, including using simulators.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new): (aa) various trailer to truck coupling mechanisms, taking into account the fifth wheel coupling for articulated vehicles (for semi-trailers), and drawbar hitch coupling for drawbar trailers (rigid truck), as well as the standard operating procedures and protocols for connecting and disconnecting trailers from trucks while using these coupling mechanisms;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point e: (e) changing direction: left and right turns; changing lanes, making a U turn;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new): (ea) factoring in blind spots;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point g: (g) overtaking/passing: overtaking other road users, including cyclists (if possible); driving alongside obstacles, for instance parked cars; being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate);

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point h: (h) special road features: taking roundabouts with a large vehicle; railway level crossings; tram/bus stops; pedestrian crossings, bike lanes; riding up-/downhill on long slopes; tunnels;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point i: (i) entering and alighting from the vehicle, including making sure that it is safe to open the vehicle door and that this will not create a hazard for other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and micro-mobility users.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 4 – point a: (a) driving in such a way as to ensure safety and to reduce fuel/energy consumption and emissions during acceleration, deceleration, uphill and downhill driving, distance to the vehicle in front; curve overtaking, change of lane, priority rules, speed limits;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 4 – point b: (b) reacting and anticipating to hazardous situations, including using simulators

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 1 – paragraph 2: Driving examiners shall be trained to assess correctly the applicants’ ability to drive safely. The work of driving examiners shall be monitored and supervised, by an independent body authorised by the Member State, to ensure correct and consistent application of fault assessment in accordance with the standards laid down in this Annex.

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 3 – point a: (a) controls the vehicle; taking into account: proper use of safety belts, modern safety and driving aids, rear-view mirrors, head restraints; seat; proper use of lights and other equipment; proper use of clutch, gearbox, accelerator, braking systems (including third braking system, if available), steering; controlling the vehicle under different circumstances, at different speeds; steadiness on the road; the weight and dimensions and characteristics of the vehicle; the weight and type of load (categories BE, C, CE, C1, C1E, DE, D1E only); the comfort of the passengers (categories D, DE, D1, D1E only) (no fast acceleration, smoothly driving and no hard braking);

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 3 – point b: (b) drives economically and in a safe and energy-efficient way, taking into account the revolutions per minute, changing gears, braking and accelerating and uses intrinsic in-vehicle driving and/or safety aids (categories B, BE, C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E only);

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 3 – point c: (c) complies with observation rules: all-round observation; proper use of mirrors and new technologies; far, middle, near distance vision;

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 3 – point j: (j) controls braking and stopping: decelerating in time, braking or stopping according to circumstances; anticipation; using the various braking systems (only for categories C, CE, D, DE); using speed reduction systems other than the brakes and use of in-vehicle technologies (only for categories C, CE, D, DE).

Removed:Annex II – Part I – point B – point 10 – paragraph 1: The length of the test and the distance travelled shall be sufficient to assess the skills and behaviour laid down in title B of this Annex. In no circumstances shall the time spent driving on the road be less than 25 minutes for categories A, A1, A2, B, B+, B1 and BE and 45 minutes for the other categories. This shall not include the reception of the applicant, the preparation of the vehicle, the technical check of the vehicle with a bearing on road safety, the special manoeuvres and the announcement of the outcome of the practical test.

Removed:Annex II – Part II – paragraph 1 – indent 7: – have sufficient knowledge of risk factors related to cyclists, pedestrians and micro mobility users;

Removed:Annex II – Part II – paragraph 2: Member States shall adopt and implement appropriate measures to ensure that drivers who have lost the knowledge, skills and behaviour as described under points 1 to 9 can recover this knowledge and those skills and will continue to exhibit such behaviour required for driving a power-driven vehicle.

Removed:Annex III – point 1 – point 3: (3) National legislation shall provide for the provisions set out in this Annex for Group 2 drivers to apply to drivers of Category B vehicles using their driving licence for professional purposes (taxis, ambulances, etc.).

Removed:Annex III – point 3 – paragraph 1: deleted

Removed:Annex III – point 3 – paragraph 2: The applicants shall be required to undergo a medical examination when the necessary formalities are being completed or during the tests which they have to undergo prior to obtaining a driving licence.

Removed:Annex III – point 6 – paragraph 1: All applicants for a driving licence and for its renewal shall undergo an appropriate investigation to ensure that they have adequate visual acuity, measured by means of a validated visual acuity chart, and field of vision for driving power-driven vehicles. Where there is reason to doubt that the applicant’s vision is adequate, he/she should be examined by a competent medical authority or by a qualified eye-care professional authorised by national law. At this examination attention shall be paid, in particular, to the following: visual acuity, field of vision, twilight vision, glare and contrast sensitivity, diplopia and other visual functions that can compromise safe driving.

Removed:Annex III – point 6 – paragraph 2: For group 1 drivers, licensing may be considered in ‘exceptional individual cases’ where the visual field standard or visual acuity standard cannot be met but there are reasons to believe that the issuance of a driving licence for the applicant would not impair road safety; in such cases the driver shall undergo examination by a competent medical authority, or by a qualified eye-care professional authorised by national law, to demonstrate that there is no other impairment of visual function, including glare, contrast sensitivity and twilight vision. The driver or applicant shall also be subject to a positive practical test conducted by a competent authority.

Removed:Annex III – point 6 – paragraph 3 – point 1 – paragraph 1: Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of such a licence shall have a binocular visual acuity, with corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0,5 (decimal notation) when using both eyes together. / (This is an horizontal amendment applying throughout the text)

Removed:Annex III – point 6 – paragraph 3 – point 2: (2) Applicants for a driving licence, or for the renewal of such a licence, who have total functional loss of vision in one eye or who use only one eye (for instance in the case of diplopia) shall have a visual acuity of at least 0,5 (decimal notation), with corrective lenses if necessary. The competent medical authority shall certify that this condition of monocular vision has existed for a sufficiently long time to allow adaptation and that the field of vision in this eye meets the requirement laid down in point 6.(1).

Removed:Annex III – point 6 – paragraph 4 – point 4 – paragraph 1: Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of such a licence shall have a visual acuity, with corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0,8 (decimal notation) in the better eye and at least 0,1 (decimal notation) in the worse eye. If corrective lenses are used to attain the values of 0,8 and 0,1, the minimum acuity (0,8 and 0,1) shall be achieved either by correction by means of glasses with a power not exceeding plus eight dioptres, or with the aid of contact lenses. The correction must be well tolerated.

Removed:Annex III – point 13 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – point a: (a) severe mental, cognitive or behavioural impairment, whether congenital or due to disease, trauma or neurosurgical operations;

Removed:Annex III – point 13 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – point c: (c) personality impairments leading to seriously impaired judgment, behaviour or adaptability,

Removed:Annex IV – Part 1 – point 3 – point g a (new): (ga) knowledge of vulnerability of non-motorised users;

Removed:Annex IV – Part 2 – point 1 – introductory part: (1) A category B and B+ driving examiner:

Removed:Annex IV – Part 2 – point 1 – point d: (d) shall have terminated a vocational education that leads at least to a completion of level 5 as set out in the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED)97 ;

Removed:Annex IV – Part 2 – point 2 – point d: (d) shall have terminated a vocational education that leads at least to a completion of level 5 as set out in the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED);

Removed:Annex IV – Part 4 – point 1 – point e: (e) The work of driving examination shall be monitored and supervised by an independent body authorised by the Member State, to ensure correct and consistent application of assessment.

Removed:Annex IV – Part 4 – point 2 – point a – point i – indent 1: — maintain and refresh the necessary knowledge, examining and communication skills;

Removed:Annex IV – Part 5 – point 1: (1) Member States may allow persons authorised to conduct driving tests immediately before the entry into force of this Directive to continue to conduct driving tests, notwithstanding that they were not authorised in accordance with the general conditions in point 2 or the initial qualification process set out in point 3.

Removed:Annex V – point 4 – paragraph 2: The length of the test and the distance travelled shall be sufficient ( at least 25 minutes) to assess the skills and behaviour laid down in point 3.

Removed:Annex VI – point 4 – paragraph 2: The length of the test and the distance travelled must be sufficient (at least 25 minutes) to assess the skills and behaviour laid down in point 3 of this Annex.

Removed:Annex VI a (new): Annex VIa / Minimum requirements regarding training and instructors. / MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAINING / 1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to approve and supervise the minimum theoretical and practical training provided for in Article 10(1), point (a). / The duration of theoretical driver training for category B shall be at least 10 hours, of which at least half of physical attendance. The driver training shall cover the knowledge, skills and behaviour as described in points 2 and 7 of Annex II, include the higher levels of the Goals for a Driver Education (GDE) Matrix including goals and context for driving, and pay particular attention and ensure the completion of the following: / (a) essential circulation rules and road safety elements, including the use of seat belts and/or other protective equipment; / (b) safe interaction with vulnerable road users; / (c) first aid; / (d) eco-driving; / 2. The duration of the practical driver training for category B and B+ shall be at least seven hours. / 3. A practical component shall include the following exercises: acceleration, deceleration, reversing, braking, lane-changing, ecodriving, parking, overtaking and safely disembarking the vehicle with due consideration of vulnerable road users. / MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS WHO CONDUCT DRIVING INSTRUCTION / 1. Competences required by a driving instructor / (1) A person authorised to conduct theoretical, as well as practical instruction in a power-driven vehicle o…

Removed:Background to the proposal

Removed:Road safety has been a major pillar of European Union transport legislation for some twenty years. Chiefly as a result of the efforts undertaken by the authorities over this period, the number of deaths on the EU’s roads has been cut significantly, from 51 400 in 2001 to 19 800 in 2021. While these figures may look positive, they still fall well short of the initial target of reducing deaths by 75% between 2001 and 2020.

Removed:Moreover, this downward trend in the number of EU road deaths has become somewhat less pronounced recently, and in 2021 the number of victims rose by 6% on the previous year, a figure that should be nonetheless be seen in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Removed:The statistics from recent years therefore called for renewed efforts to improve new road safety.

Removed:In 2017 the EU transport ministers, meeting in Valletta, took note of these figures on deaths and serious injuries, which were incompatible with the EU’s long-term objectives. The informal meeting culminated in the signing of a declaration calling on the European Commission to take political initiatives for the decade 2020 from 2030 with a view to cutting numbers of deaths and better protecting road users, especially the most vulnerable among them (cyclists and pedestrians), who make up the greatest proportion of road deaths.

Removed:In its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy of 2020, the Commission reiterated the target of zero fatalities by 2050 (the ‘Vision Zero’ objective) and announced that it would submit a revision of the Driving Licence Directive. In October 2021, meanwhile, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on road safety from 2021 to 2030, calling on the Commission to further promote road safety, notably through higher standards on driver training.

Removed:The proposal for the third revision of Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences [COM (2023) 0127] formed part of the ‘road safety package’ published in March 2023, which contained three interdependent pieces of legislation. The other two proposals concerned the Union-wide effect of driving disqualifications [COM (2023) 128] and the cross-border exchange of information on road-safety-related traffic offences [amending Directive (EU) 2015/413].

Removed:Content of the proposal

Removed:The proposal builds on the objectives of the existing directive, namely to improve road safety and facilitate free movement, while catering for the need for greater sustainability and a digital transition in road transport.

Removed:The Commission wishes to improve drivers’ skills and knowledge by amending the rules on training, testing and probationary periods, particularly with regard to new technologies.

Removed:The proposal also addresses the issue of dangerous behaviour on the road, particularly by novice drivers.

Removed:It also aims to ensure that drivers are physically and mentally fit to take the wheel of a car by introducing stricter medical procedures throughout the European Union.

Removed:It further tackles obstacles that applicants for or holders of driving licences may face, particularly difficulties posed in driving tests by insufficient language skills or the lapsing of certain entitlements owing to a change of residence within the EU.

Removed:Lastly the proposal aims to help the EU to meet its climate targets.

Removed:Rapporteur’s position

Removed:At a time when the EU is behind schedule in meeting its stated aim of ‘Vision Zero’ by 2050, strong and binding measures are needed to combat road accidents over the next few years.

Removed:Road safety is a major concern for us all, including young people. That is why the Member States should include lessons on road safety and alternative forms of mobility in secondary-school curricula. The issue of the affordability of driving licences also needs to be addressed.

Removed:The rapporteur would like to see a points-based licence system introduced throughout the entire European Union. The establishment of such a scheme, coupled with effective enforcement measures, has the potential to slash the number of accidents and deaths on our roads. Most EU countries have introduced such a system at national level, and the rapporteur believes there is ample justification for extending it to all Member States.

Removed:Speed is a very important factor in causing road crashes and fatalities. Indeed, 30% of accidents are attributable at least in part to drivers’ breaching the speed limit. This is why the rapporteur is proposing speed limits that vary according to the category of driving licence held by drivers, a factor that reflects their vehicles’ likelihood of being involved in an accident.

Removed:Heavy passenger vehicles (SUVs) are also more prone to collisions than light passenger cars. Given that increasingly large and heavy cars are being placed on the EU’s roads, a category B licence is no longer suitable for driving them. The rapporteur therefore wishes to establish a new category of driving licence – category B+, for cars weighing over 1.8 tonnes – which could be obtained by applicants of 21 years or older only and after a two-year probationary period after gaining a category B licence.

Removed:The category B driving licence would thus entitle an individual to drive a private car of a maximum weight of 1.8 tonnes. Exemptions could be granted, however, for professional reasons or special purposes (to drive emergency vehicles, for example).

Removed:Furthermore, European and national statistics clearly show that young people are disproportionately prone to road accidents. The rapporteur therefore believes that the flexibility in the current directive and the proposal enabling the Member States to lower the minimum age for certain categories of driving licence should be removed. Although accompanied driving should be encouraged throughout the European Union, the rapporteur is not in favour of the proposed provisions on it since they are inconsistent with the idea of a uniform minimum age for obtaining a driving licence.

Removed:The rapporteur also suggests raising the minimum age for the A1 driving licence.

Removed:She is also believes that non-commercial driving licences should continue to be valid for a maximum of 10 years. Given the need to combat road accidents among novice drivers, the administrative validity of their licences should be reduced to a maximum of two years, after which time they will be required to attend a refresher course on how to behave while driving.

Removed:The administrative validity of licences for drivers aged 60 or over should also be reduced to ensure that they are fully fit to drive.

Removed:Drivers’ mental and physical health is a further issue of crucial importance in road safety. This is why the rapporteur is against the Commission’s proposal for the self-assessment of driver fitness. A medical examination should be compulsory for anyone taking a driving test or renewing a driving licence.

Removed:The rapporteur calls for specific measures on speed limits for novice drivers and encourages the Member States to establish stricter rules for them, for example in respect of night driving, the accrual of penalty points or the loss of points on their licences.

Removed:The rapporteur would also like to see the introduction of a harmonised EU-wide framework covering both instructors and training for candidates.

Removed:She also suggests placing particular emphasis on the safety of vulnerable road users and on eco-driving. Lastly, she hopes that tests will be long enough to properly assess the aptitude of each candidate