EU Parliament approves digital driving licence and safety reforms

The European Parliament approved on Tuesday a sweeping overhaul of driving licence rules across the European Union that introduces a digital licence, tighter training and medical checks, and a system to ensure driving disqualifications imposed in one member state are recognised and enforced in the licence-issuing country. Lawmakers said the measures aim to improve road safety and reduce traffic deaths, which total roughly 20,000 across the bloc each year.

The directive sets new minimum standards for driver training and testing, establishes a two-year probationary period for novice drivers, and requires national authorities to share information about serious offences. Under the new rules, suspensions, revocations or restrictions imposed for severe violations including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, causing fatal crashes, or exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 kilometres per hour must be notified to the country that issued the licence when the disqualification lasts at least three months and all appeals have been exhausted. Authorities will be obliged to enforce the sanction at home.

The package also mandates a digital driving licence accessible on mobile...