Road safety: EU Commission proposes to update criteria on driving licences. Driving school starting at 17 years of age

The Commission today presented proposals “to modernise driving licence rules, including the introduction of a digital driving licence valid throughout the EU, and new provisions to facilitate the enforcement of traffic rules across borders”. Last year, the EU Commission points out, “more than 20,000 lives were lost on EU roads and the majority of victims were pedestrians, cyclists and users of scooters and motorbikes”. The new rules “will improve safety for all road users, and will help the EU achieve its Vision Zero – having no deaths on EU roads by 2050”. According to the EU Commission, “they will prepare drivers better for zero-emission vehicles and for driving on city roads, alongside more bicycles and two-wheelers, and with many pedestrians around. They will also allow young drivers to gain experience through an accompanied driving scheme – from the age of 17, young people will be able to learn to drive and obtain a licence. Those who pass at 17 will be able to drive alone from their 18th birthday, and to work as a professional driver as soon as a specific job allows. This will help address the current driver shortage”.
Valentina Bombelli