European Commission outlines practical steps for implementing new EU rules on driving licences and driving disqualifications

The European Commission has published its implementation strategy for its Directives to modernise EU rules on driving licences and driving disqualifications. These initiatives aim to increase road safety across the EU, reducing the number of road deaths as well as undue administrative burden on citizens and authorities.

With today's implementation strategy, the Commission strives to support Member States in implementing these new EU rules, which include measures such as the introduction of an EU-wide accompanied driving scheme for 17-year-old drivers, a probationary period for novice drivers, as well as more systematic checks of peoples' fitness to drive. In addition, the new rules adjust training and testing requirements to place greater emphasis on the safety of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists and micromobility users.

The implementation strategy also sets out key steps for the introduction of mobile EU driving licences, as well as the EU-wide recognition of driving disqualifications, which ensures that drivers who commit serious traffic offences are held accountable whether they drive in their own country or elsewhere in the EU.

The Commission aims to support Member States through a structured implementation approach based on different guidance documents, technical exchanges, cross-border cooperation projects, implementing and delegated acts, templates, peer learning and risk-based monitoring.

Background

Road safety is a major societal issue. In 2025, an estimated 19,400 people were killed on EU roads. The EU has set itself the ambitious target of 'Vision Zero' - zero road deaths by 2050, with an intermediate target of reducing fatalities by 50% by 2030.

Road safety is a shared responsibility between the EU and Member States. While national and local authorities deliver most day-to-day actions, the EU contributes with safety rules for infrastructure and vehicles and for driver testing and licencing, coordinates cross-border cooperation between authorities and efforts to exchange best practices, and funds road safety projects.

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