Godot
Active Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2007
- Messages
- 186
- Car
- A180 CDI Elegance Auto 3 Door Panoramic Sun Roof, Bi Xenons
Some of you may know, others may not
From 2013 on, the traditional driving licence will progressively disappear in favour of a single European licence in the shape of a plastic bank card ... theoretically unforgeable.
In 5 years time, new drivers from the 25 European Union countries will be issued a single driving licence valid for cars, motorbikes, lorries and buses. 'Veterans' for their part will have until 2033 to replace their old licence (today there are a hundred or so types in Europe!).
Contrary to the already persistent rumour, you won't have to take new tests or undergo medical check-ups or compulsory eyesight tests. No cause for panic therefore!
Apart from having a more practical shape, the new licence will be fitted with a microchip that can record all highway code offences committed by the driver. Therefore those who have had their driving licence suspended or withdrawn in one of the EU countries will no longer be able to obtain a licence in another member state.
The conditions for obtaining or withdrawing licences will however remain the prerogative of each member state. They will all have to set a validity limit for the licence so that their data and photos can be regularly updated.
Drivers of two-wheelers, particularly exposed to fatal accidents, will in fact be the first concerned by this uniformisation of the driving licence, since the two-wheeler licence will henceforth be compulsory from age 16. Admittedly, some countries will be able to derogate from this rule by allowing adolescents to ride mopeds from age 14. A mere technical knowledge test will however be compulsory.
If there is one point on which the new Directive remains firm, it is progressive access to the various categories of motorbikes. It will, for instance, be compulsory to have experience of driving low displacement motorbikes to be able to move on to higher displacement bikes and you'll have to be 24 years old before being allowed to drive the most powerful bikes.
The new Directive also aims to harmonise the requirement level to become an examiner in Europe and now imposes continuing education. Among the requirements imposed by the EU, examiners will in particular have to teach thrifty driving respectful of the environment, and will have to have technical knowledge of vehicles and notions of physics.
© Communauté européenne, 2007
From 2013 on, the traditional driving licence will progressively disappear in favour of a single European licence in the shape of a plastic bank card ... theoretically unforgeable.
In 5 years time, new drivers from the 25 European Union countries will be issued a single driving licence valid for cars, motorbikes, lorries and buses. 'Veterans' for their part will have until 2033 to replace their old licence (today there are a hundred or so types in Europe!).
Contrary to the already persistent rumour, you won't have to take new tests or undergo medical check-ups or compulsory eyesight tests. No cause for panic therefore!
Apart from having a more practical shape, the new licence will be fitted with a microchip that can record all highway code offences committed by the driver. Therefore those who have had their driving licence suspended or withdrawn in one of the EU countries will no longer be able to obtain a licence in another member state.
The conditions for obtaining or withdrawing licences will however remain the prerogative of each member state. They will all have to set a validity limit for the licence so that their data and photos can be regularly updated.
Drivers of two-wheelers, particularly exposed to fatal accidents, will in fact be the first concerned by this uniformisation of the driving licence, since the two-wheeler licence will henceforth be compulsory from age 16. Admittedly, some countries will be able to derogate from this rule by allowing adolescents to ride mopeds from age 14. A mere technical knowledge test will however be compulsory.
If there is one point on which the new Directive remains firm, it is progressive access to the various categories of motorbikes. It will, for instance, be compulsory to have experience of driving low displacement motorbikes to be able to move on to higher displacement bikes and you'll have to be 24 years old before being allowed to drive the most powerful bikes.
The new Directive also aims to harmonise the requirement level to become an examiner in Europe and now imposes continuing education. Among the requirements imposed by the EU, examiners will in particular have to teach thrifty driving respectful of the environment, and will have to have technical knowledge of vehicles and notions of physics.
© Communauté européenne, 2007
