New EU driving licence rules allow 17 year olds to hit the road
Spain is preparing for sweeping European changes that will allow 17 year olds to obtain a licence and introduce a digital version by 2030
After a couple of years in the planning stages, the European Union has given the green light to a brand new driver’s licence that allow motorists across all its Member Stats to obtain a licence from the age of 17, among a raft of other changes. There are also plans to introduce a digital driving licence that will be common throughout the EU by 2030.
The biggest change
The new driver's license will lower the age for obtaining a Category B driver's license, allowing those aged 17 to apply for one. However, there is one important condition: these minors must be accompanied by an experienced driver until they reach the age of 18.
The new rules will also lower the legal age for driving trucks (Category C) to 18, and for buses (Category D) to 21, provided they hold a certificate of professional competence.
Otherwise, a person must be 21 and 24 years old, respectively, to drive these vehicles. With this measure, the European Union aims to address the shortage of drivers in professional sectors.
How does all this apply to driving in Spain?
This last aspect regarding trucks and buses won't represent a major change in Spain, as 18 year olds are already allowed to drive trucks, provided they hold the aforementioned certificate. In the case of buses, the age limit here can already be progressively lowered from 24 to 18 if certain requirements are met, such as holding a certificate of professional aptitude (CAP). Furthermore, nationwide, bus drivers aged 18 and over can only drive with passengers on board if the journey does not exceed 50 kilometres.
More costly fines for young motorists
With the added responsibility comes more severe fines for rule breakers. According to the new European agreement, once a licence has been granted, novice drivers will have a probationary period of at least two years, during which time they will face harsher penalties for driving if they drink alcohol or if they don't use a seatbelt or child restraint system.
And for the rest of the drivers?
The new rule will ensure that when a driver’s licence is withdrawn in one Member State for a serious offence, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the disqualification will apply throughout the entire European Union.
At the moment, if a driver loses their licence in a Member State other than the one that issued it, the sanction usually only applies in that country. Once the new rule takes effect, Member States will be required to share information promptly about any decisions to withdraw driving licences, ensuring greater coordination and consistency across the EU.
Will there be changes to the driving test?
Yes. The driving test will now include content on blind spot risks, driver assistance systems, safe door opening and the risks of distraction from using a phone. Greater emphasis will also be placed on raising awareness of the risks associated with pedestrians, children, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Furthermore, before obtaining their first license, or when applying for renewal, drivers must pass a medical examination that will include vision and cardiovascular tests. EU countries may choose to replace the medical examination for car or motorcycle drivers with self-assessment forms or other nationally designed assessment systems.
What else is changing?
The overarching plan is for all countries in the EU to gradually move toward what will be an electronic version of the driver's license. This will be accessible from a mobile phone and is expected to be available by 2030. It will be valid in all Member States for a period of 15 years for motorcyclists and cars, although this will be reduced to 10 years in those countries where it is used as an identity document.
Even when the digital version comes into play, drivers will still be able to get a physical licence if they choose.
When will all these changes come into effect?
Once all the formalities of the agreement are completed, EU countries will have three years to incorporate these new rules into their national systems and will have an additional year to prepare for their implementation.
This timeframe has been established because the directive is a transposition by the European Commission and not a regulation, which would be implemented within just 20 days of its entry into force.
So essentially, Member States now have four years to adapt in whatever way they see fit to comply with the directive. Failure to do so could result in sanctions from the Court of Justice of the European Union.
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