EU driving license plan

Regular compulsory visits to the doctor are off the table

Brussels wanted to send all driver's license holders to a mandatory health check every time a new license is issued, i.e. every 15 years.

(Bild: Michael Heim)

The EU Parliament adopted its position on the reform of EU driving license rules on Wednesday. MEPs have spoken out against a mandatory health check when renewing driving licenses.

MEPs are thus not following the lead of the responsible parliamentary committee. Austria had always spoken out against this, as Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) reiterated at the last ministerial meeting in Brussels.

To the doctor every 15 years
339 MEPs voted in favor of the position, 240 against. 37 abstained. The parliamentary committee wanted to send all driving license holders for a mandatory health check every time they get a new license, i.e. every 15 years.

In contrast to the proposals of the EU Commission and Member States, MEPs did not want to allow voluntary self-assessments as an alternative to the health check. After numerous amendments, this demand is now off the table.

Compromise to be found
According to the Parliament's position, drivers should assess their own fitness to drive when issuing and renewing their driving license. The EU countries should decide for themselves whether this should be supplemented by a medical examination.

The Council (of Member States) has already agreed on a common position on the EU Commission's proposal. The next step at EU level is the so-called trilogue negotiations between the two EU institutions. The aim is to reach an agreement on a regulation that everyone can agree to.