Grosch confident over majority for a common EU driving licence

Date: 25/11/04

By Anna McLauchlin

A European Parliament report on new rules for a single EU driving licence and driving age limits have angered many MEPs trying to protect their national rules. But rapporteur Mathieu Grosch, from the European People's Party (EPP-ED), still expects to win majority backing when the committee votes on the proposal in January.

Grosch has tightened up aspects of a European Commission proposal, which would phase out the 111 different driving licences currently in existence in the EU and launch a single credit card-type licence from 2010, renewable every ten years.

It would also introduce compulsory licences for mopeds, an EU-wide age limit for drivers to be allowed to use motorbikes and cars, and measures preventing people who have had their licence removed from obtaining a different one in another member state.

Under Grosch's draft, even licences in countries such as France, Germany and the UK that have unlimited validity would have to be renewed by the single card by 2020. “A married woman of 60 can be carrying the licence of a much younger, single person with a very different photo,” he explained. “It's a question of security.”

It would also encourage member states to impose medical tests on people renewing their licences to ensure that they are still fit to drive, and force countries to exchange information to stamp out 'driver licence tourism'. The report also extends the minimum requirements for licence examiners.

But those member states where citizens do not have to renew their licences are opposed to the administrative burden imposed by the proposal. UK MEPs are expected to point to the cost of implementing the proposal.

Other member states reject the average ages proposed by the directive. Under the draft, a person must be 16 years old to drive a motorbike and 18 to drive a car, although member states can retain their own age limits for drivers on national territory.

But some MEPs have contested this rule, for example the Italians whose 14-year-olds can ride motorbikes and Danish MEPs who want higher age limits for safety reasons.

“I think it will get a majority vote,” said Grosch. “It's not really a political problem, it's more an issue of national traditions.”

A European Parliament report, drafted under the direction of MEP Matthieu Grosch, has suggested new rules for a single EU driving licence and driving age limits.

Council of the European Union: Press Release: PRES/06/90: Council approves draft directive on driving licences http://consilium.europa.eu/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/misc/89035.pdf

---