The European Parliament voted today on whether drivers will in future have to undergo a health inspection every 15 years in order to keep their driving license. The check should also become mandatory for scooter and motorcyclists. The compulsory examination would then not only affect seniors, but all drivers – In Germany, around 57 million people who currently still have a driving license are affected.
The EU Commission had suggested that drivers must reapply for their driving license every 15 years and submit medical tests or self-declaration about their health. On Wednesday, Parliament voted to leave the decision to the member states, some of which already have corresponding laws.
Germany’s Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) once again criticized the Commission’s proposal. “I consider government requirements to fill out mandatory self-disclosures and issue medical reports on fitness to drive to be an enormous amount of bureaucratic effort,” he told the “Tagesspiegel” on Wednesday. If the member states decide, such a law should be off the table in Germany.
Driving license could be confiscated without compulsory examination
What would happen to drivers if Germany followed the Commission’s proposal?
- Anyone who refuses or fails the examination will have their driving license revoked . It is still unclear whether you have the opportunity to repeat the test or have to get your driver’s license completely new. Since EU law takes precedence over German law, this also means that the driving license, which is actually valid for an unlimited period for many drivers, would be history. The new regulations from Brussels are unlikely to be particularly well received by professional drivers with cars – appropriate examinations have long been required for truck drivers – and commuters who rely on their cars.
- The details of the compulsory examination have not yet been determined, but drivers must assume that that they must, among other things, complete a vision and hearing test . Also other aptitude tests, for example psychological tests would be conceivable.
- In addition, older drivers in particular have to fear that that certain “signal illnesses” – such as heart disease, diabetes or strokes – will lead to the revocation of driving licenses in the future . So far, a withdrawal for such reasons is in principle possible, but only if the authorities – for example as part of the exchange of driving licenses, which is also required by the EU – get wind of such illnesses and have doubts about your fitness to drive. It is still unclear whether the member states themselves will ultimately decide on the exact requirements of the tests.
Important to know: The new rules do not yet have legal force . The procedure regarding the EU’s fourth driving license directive since 1980 still has to go into the so-called trilogue, i.e. into further discussions between Parliament, the EU Commission and the member states. It is unlikely to be completed before the European elections (in Germany on June 9, 2024).
The final driving license decision will not be made until summer at the earliest
EU parliamentarians from southern EU countries in particular are in favor of regular medical examinations, as they are often already mandatory for drivers in their home countries. In Italy, the medical test for seniors aged 80 and over is due every two years. In Spain, a medical examination every five years is mandatory for drivers aged 65 and over. If it is not carried out, the driver’s license will not be renewed.
The EU Commission is also aiming for, among other things, more uniform requirements for the training and skills of learner drivers as well as a digital driving license. Opponents of the health TÜV also admit that more harmonization is necessary. Of course, one should limit oneself to sensible innovations that do not mean more, but less bureaucracy. These include, for example, cross-border recognition of the validity of tractor driving licenses.
Greens want many more restrictions for drivers
During the compulsory investigations, the chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, the French Green Party Karima Delli, stood out as the responsible rapporteur. The number of victims of traffic accidents on European roads is worrying, so “everything must be done to save lives”. In 2022, more than 20,000 people in the EU died in traffic accidents – a slight upward trend. Most of the victims were pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders and motorcyclists. Delli supported her plea by describing the fates of accident victims. The current initiative is “like a second seat belt”.
In a proposal, Delli called for significantly more restrictions and bans for female drivers:
- In the future there should be speed limits graded according to age groups. The limit for novice drivers is 90 km/h – a speed that corresponds almost exactly to the real maximum speed of trucks on German motorways (officially 80 km/h, electronically trucks are limited to 89 km/h). This would make it virtually impossible for novice drivers to overtake on the highway. The probationary driving license also requires a new driving test after the probationary period has been completed.
- There should be the possibility of imposing night driving bans for novice drivers. The draft literally says: “Member States may lay down specific rules for novice drivers to restrict driving at night, from midnight to 6 a.m. In this case, Member States shall establish sanctions for novice drivers regarding restrictions on driving at night and shall take all necessary measures to ensure their enforcement. These sanctions must be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non-discriminatory.”
In the end, most of Delli’s demands were not included in the voting proposal – even some Green politicians in Germany found her proposals to be too far-reaching. However, drivers must assume that in the next EU Parliament, which will be elected in the summer, if the SPD and the Greens are successful in the elections, Delli’s proposals could come back to the negotiating table and become part of the next driving license amendment.
TÜV requires “feedback trips” for seniors aged 75 and over
Regardless of whether the compulsory examination comes or not, the TÜV recommends that older drivers ask themselves how fit they are behind the wheel. “There is no reason to introduce mandatory ‘compulsory tests’ of the minimum mental and physical requirements for older car drivers. But it is equally ineffective not to take measures to ensure safe participation in traffic in old age,” says Richard Goebelt, head of the Vehicle & Mobility department at the TÜV Association.
women and men who aged 75 or over If you still want to drive a car, the TÜV recommends so-called feedback drives. “As part of these trips, an expert assesses the seniors’ abilities and shows potential ways in which they can maintain their driving skills. The feedback trips help to ensure the safety of all road users and at the same time maintain the mobility of older people,” explains Richard Goebelt. The result of such trips could be confirmation that you still have everything under control – or that you should hang up your car keys or at least avoid certain situations such as driving at night.