Driving license: the EU approves a geographic extension of withdrawals to the 27 member states in the event of a serious accident

The European Union (EU) wants to end the impunity of drivers in the event of a serious accident. The European Parliament and the twenty-seven agree on Tuesday, March 25, to extend the withdrawals of the driving license to the 27 member states after this type of accident.

Under new rules, the prohibitions or restrictions imposed by a Member State on a driver in the event of a serious road accident will also apply in the country where the driving license has been issued. The country which issued the permit must then apply the prohibition throughout the EU.

Currently, if a driver loses his license in an EU country different from that where it has been issued, the sanction only applies in the country where the offense has taken place.

“By introducing lighter and more timely criteria for the suspension of driving privileges in the event of serious offenses, this measure not only protects responsible drivers, but also the whole population”said Matteo Ricci, European deputy who presented the text.

A dematerialized permit valid fifteen years

Earlier in the day, the European Parliament and the Member States also agreed on Tuesday on the introduction of the digital driving license throughout the EU by the end of 2030. Accessible on mobile phone, this dematerialized permit will have the same value as the physical driving license, which users will have the right to also request.

Until now, discussions had bought on the introduction of a compulsory or not medical examination to obtain this permit. According to the agreement concluded on the night of Monday to Tuesday, the member states will request either a medical examination or a screening based on self -assessment of the user.

The permit will be valid for fifteen years, before a renewal procedure. New drivers will be subject to a probationary period of at least two years, with stricter rules and sanctions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

This digital license agreement must now be adopted in Parliament and between the twenty-seven, a simple formality a priori now that a compromise has been found.

In 2024, 19,800 people lost their lives in road accidents within the EU, a slight decrease of 3 % compared to the previous year. Progress vary considerably from one Member State to another. Sweden and Denmark continue to have the safest roads in Europe, with 20 and 24 deaths respectively for a million inhabitants, while Bulgaria and Romania are at the level of ranking, with 74 and 77 deaths for a million inhabitants respectively.