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Timeline: The revision process began in March 2023 with a Commission proposal. By December 2023, the Council finalized its general approach, and the European Parliament adopted its text in February 2024. In May 2025, a provisional political agreement was reached after trilogue negotiations between Parliament, Council, and Commission. The provisional agreement on the revision of the Driving Licence Directive must be endorsed by the Council's representatives (Coreper) and the European Parliament before formal adoption. The European Parliament formally approved the updated EU driving licence rules on 21 October 2025.
The legislative procedure is now complete, with publication in the Official Journal pending. The directive will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, and Member States will have three years to transpose the new rules and one additional year to prepare for implementation.
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Key changes:
- Digital licence valid EU-wide by 2030, optional alongside the physical card.
- Licence validity: 15 years for cars and motorcycles (10 years if used as ID), 5 years for trucks and buses.
- Medical checks: Mandatory checks for drivers over 70 abolished; self-assessment may be used.
- Accompanied driving: Extended to 17-year-olds and Class C trucks.
- Probation & sanctions: EU-wide minimum two-year probation with stricter alcohol/drug rules.
- Cat. B upgrades: Drivers may operate camper vans up to 4.25 t with appropriate training.
- EU-wide enforcement: Driving bans and licence withdrawals recognized across Member States.
