As the ADAC reports, some things on the driver's license are to change this year. Because the EU is fundamentally revising the "3rd driving license directive" and wants to bring the successor onto the road in 2023. The aim should be to find uniform rules for EU citizens that finally put an end to the many differences between the countries. Should the EU go ahead with all the requested changes, it would open up new opportunities for EU driver license holders, but it would also affect penalties.
It is said that the EU wants to increase the permissible total weight for class B, i.e. the driver's license, from the current 3.5 tons to 4.25 tons. This would affect mobile homes in particular, as many vehicles slightly exceed the current limit and thus require obtaining a new driving license class. Although the new total mass would not include all common campers, the selection would still be much larger.
Another change is to affect the key number B196. This is the "small motorcycle driver's license", which has only existed for a few years and, under certain conditions, can be obtained by holders of a car driver's license at the driving school without taking any tests. So far, the permission to drive light motorcycles up to 125 ccm only applies in Germany. In other countries, however, it is vague: Spain generally allows motorists to drive a light motorcycle, elsewhere you need at least class A1 in the classic way.
As far as truck and bus driving licenses are concerned, i.e. classes C and D, the EU wants to lower the minimum age to 18 years. So far, C can only be done at the age of 21, D even only from the age of 24. Apparently, the EU is trying to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in this way - because truck and bus drivers are currently rare.
As part of the new directive, the EU is also planning to finally make the rag digital - i.e. to bring the proof of driving license to the smartphone in such a way that opening an app in a police check is sufficient. Germany had already made a similar move some time ago, but failed to implement it.
Something could also change for learner drivers, because the new guideline stipulates that practical training should only begin once the theoretical part has been completed with a successful test. At the same time, one would like to offer driving schools the opportunity to drive parts of the training in simulators. Most recently, the EU stipulates that new drivers should return to driving schools after a year for their so-called “refresher course”. This should reduce the number of accidents among young people.
As far as penalties are concerned, whereabouts should no longer play a role. This means that a driving ban that was imposed in Italy would also apply in Germany and vice versa. For this purpose, the national point systems are to be aligned and a Europe-wide database is to store the driver's license data.
However, it could still take a while before that happens – even if the EU has a clear goal in mind. Because even if the new directive is in place, the Bundestag still has to confirm it and then transpose it into national law.
