Driver’s license, soon a mandatory medical examination

The Transport Committee of the European Parliament has voted in favor of mandatory medical examinations for driving license holders.

On December 7th, the report by Deputy Karima Delli on the Driving License Directive was adopted by the MEPs of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee. The text was approved by a narrow margin (22 FOR, 21 AGAINST, 2 ABST). The final vote will take place during a plenary session in Strasbourg in January or February 2024.

The current rules on driving licenses date back to 2006. This overhaul was timely due to the aging population and new uses of motor vehicles. This proposal is based on recommendations from road safety organizations, European institutions, and is inspired by best practices from EU member states to harmonize measures and make driving licenses an effective tool for road safety.

These new rules aim to cover motorcyclists and car drivers. Professional carriers by trucks and buses have already been subject to such medical requirements for many years. An initial medical examination will be mandatory at the time of licensing and must be renewed at each renewal of the license, at least every 15 years, throughout the motorist’s life. A sensible measure, but wouldn’t it have been more important to strengthen driver training in driving schools? Learning to drive properly should remain a priority.

The medical examination will include at least a vision test, with other mandatory tests to be prescribed by Member States. EMs will also identify the competent medical authorities responsible for these tests.

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