Major changes to driver’s licenses can be expected starting in 2023. The European Union intends to adopt a special directive that will have an impact on all driving license holders, but also for anyone who still wants to obtain a driving license. Here is an overview of the most important changes:
New regulations on the horizon: EU plans fundamental revision of 3rd driving license directive for more safety on the roads
The EU is planning a fundamental revision of the currently valid 3rd driving license directive. In order for the planned changes to come into force in Germany, they must first be transposed into national law.
The current regulations must be adapted to the European requirements in order to ensure uniform and efficient implementation.
The new driving license directive will play an important role in the development of a harmonized transport policy in Europe and is mainly intended to ensure greater safety and legal certainty on the roads.
Class B driving license to be extended
The new driver’s license directive will allow Class B drivers to drive motor vehicles with a higher maximum permissible mass of up to 4.25 tons from 2023. Previously, this was only 3.5 tons.
The change is particularly beneficial for camping fans, as according to the German Automobile Club (ADAC), most motorhomes are too heavy for the normal driver’s license. By increasing the maximum permissible mass, it will now be possible to drive a motor home or van with a Class B driver’s license.
Recognition of B196 also in other EU countries
The B196 driving license extension will also be recognized in other EU countries in the future. The B196 addition is an extension to the passenger car driving license that entitles the holder to drive light motorcycles up to an engine capacity of 125 cc. So far, this has only been recognized in Germany, but in the future it will also apply in other EU countries.
Holders of a German passenger car driver’s license upgraded to class B196 will be able to ride light motorcycles up to 125 cc throughout the EU.
The European Union attaches great importance to the unification of road traffic rules in its member states. The new directive concerning the B196 driving license contributes to this.
Digital driving license and QR code
The European Union also wants to promote the digitalization of the driver’s license. With the new directive, a digital driver’s license via an app on a smartphone will be sufficient for identification at police checks or car rental agencies. In the future, the driver’s license card will have a QR code instead of a chip to make it more forgery-proof.
Changes for learner drivers and the driving test
Learner drivers will have to travel a longer distance to take the driver’s license test. It is planned that the theory test must first be passed before the practical driving lessons can be tackled. This will considerably lengthen the time needed to obtain a driver’s license, as it was previously quite normal to learn theory and practice in parallel.
In addition, it will be possible to take at least part of the practical driving test in simulators. In addition, novice drivers must attend a mandatory refresher course after one year. This is intended to help reduce the number of accidents. What form this course will take and what additional costs it will incur have not yet been announced.
Uniform rules for driving bans and limit values
The introduction of uniform rules in the EU also means adjustments to penalties. The Driver’s License Directive includes rules to standardize the length of time a driver’s license can be revoked and mutual recognition of license revocations. This means that a person who has received a driving ban in France or Italy must also comply with it in Germany.
Uniform limits for alcohol and drug consumption while driving are envisaged, as well as an alignment of the points system. This will facilitate police checks and require the storage of driving license data for all EU citizens in a common database.
EU’s new driving license directive: timetable and implementation uncertain
The details and timelines for the implementation of the new changes are not yet known. According to the EU initiative’s roadmap, the EU Commission is expected to define the 4th driving license directive by the end of March 2023. The directive must then be approved by the EU Parliament and Council before coming into force later in 2023. Individual countries will then be responsible for transposing the directive into national law. It is also possible that the directive may still change, as it has not yet been finalized.
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