Smartphone wallet: EU committees agree on digital driver's license

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Following intensive negotiations, representatives of the EU Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the Commission agreed on new common standards for driving licenses throughout the EU on Tuesday night. According to the draft for the 4th European Driving License Directive that has now been agreed, a uniform digital driving license should be available to all EU citizens by the end of 2030 at the latest. According to the plan, it will be stored in the future digital wallet for the European Digital Identity (EUDI).

According to the European Digital Identity Regulation, the member states must offer their citizens corresponding e-wallets as early as 2026. The EU countries have five and a half years to prepare the digital wallet for the EUDI, also known in this country as the EUid, for the driving license once the amended driving license directive comes into force. Poland and Estonia would have liked to have the smartphone solution sooner, explained the EU Parliament's chief negotiator, Jutta Paulus from the Green Party, on Tuesday. The Commission could also bring forward the start for such pioneers if the national requirements are met.

The digital driving license is to be the main format in the EU in the future. The aim is to simplify the administration of such documents and make access to driving licenses more modern and user-friendly. However, MEPs ensured that drivers will continue to have the right to apply for a physical driving license in credit card format. “It was very important to us that the options are retained,” emphasized Paulus. “Some people don't always want to have their smartphone with them,” she says. In Germany, for example, there is not necessarily perfect network coverage, which could give rise to fears of being “on the road without a driver's license”.

Valid for 15 years, can be shortened from the age of 65

It should also be possible to apply for the check card at a later date. This is important, for example, when citizens travel to third countries where a cell phone driver's license is not recognized. The competent authorities would be allowed to charge a reasonable, “non-deterrent” fee for this.

In addition, driving licenses for motorcycles and cars should be valid for 15 years. This is already the case in Germany with the credit card format. The driving license as such remains valid. When the document expires after 15 years, those entitled to it will generally receive a new driving license without a test or health check. EU countries can shorten this period to 10 years if the driving license can be used as a national ID card. Truck and bus driving licenses must be renewed every five years.

Member states can also shorten the validity of driving licenses for drivers over 65. Any health checks were particularly controversial beforehand. It is now planned: Even before the first driver's license is issued, a driver should undergo a medical examination that also considers their eyesight and cardiovascular condition.

Self-disclosure of health may be sufficient

However, for car drivers or motorcyclists, EU countries may decide to replace the medical check with a self-assessment using a questionnaire or – in the case of driving license renewal – with other alternative measures. The member states themselves also decide on the potential consequences of incorrect or incomplete information. At the initiative of the elected representatives, national authorities are also encouraged to “raise public awareness of minimum standards of physical and mental fitness to drive”.

The reform should also be a milestone for “Vision Zero”, explained Paulus:“We want no more fatalities on the roads by 2050.” For the first time, EU regulations stipulate a probationary period of at least two years for new drivers. For new drivers, stricter rules and penalties apply for driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without the use of seat belts or child restraint systems. Parliament also pressed for a commitment from the federal states to generally pursue a zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol and drugs wherever possible.

Safe use of cell phones must be practiced

According to the agreement still to be confirmed by the Parliament and the Council, uniform EU-wide rules for driving license categories and novice drivers are to be created to increase road safety and facilitate mobility. This involves, for example, better preparation for real driving situations and creating sufficient risk awareness for pedestrians, children, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. To qualify for a driving license, drivers will also have to familiarize themselves with the safe use of cell phones while driving, the risk of blind spots, driver assistance systems and the safe opening of doors, among other things.

To counteract the shortage of professional drivers, the minimum age for obtaining a truck driver's license will be lowered from 21 to 18 and for a bus driver's license from 24 to 21. However, applicants must have proof of professional aptitude. Member states may only allow 17-year-olds to drive a truck or van on their territory if they are accompanied by an experienced driver. The legal basis for the introduction of a digital driver and vehicle license was launched by the German government in February.

(mki)