The European Parliament has approved new rules for driving licences across the EU, aimed at improving road safety and reducing traffic accidents throughout the bloc.
Among the key changes are new licence validity periods – 15 years for cars and motorcycles, and five years for lorry and bus drivers. Particular attention is given to older motorists, with drivers over 65 required to undergo more frequent medical checks.
Two-year trial period for new drivers
For the first time, EU rules introduce a minimum two-year trial period for newly licensed drivers. President of the Cyprus Driving Schools Association, Panikos Droushiotis, expressed concern about how the measure would work in Cyprus.
“We believe that in Cyprus, where there is no proper public transport, everyone tries to get a licence to meet their daily needs. If a learner must be accompanied by an experienced driver, this will be a big problem for Cyprus,” he said.
Digital licences and EU-wide database
The new rules will also digitise driving licences, allowing motorists to store them on their mobile phones. Officials said that although drivers will have the option of a digital version, physical copies will still be available.
A new EU-wide database will also connect member-state authorities, enabling cross-border checks on penalties and violations. When travelling across the EU, traffic offences and penalty points will now be visible to all national authorities, making it easier to enforce road safety rules at a European level.
Serious delays in driving tests in Cyprus
Beyond the EU reforms, Droushiotis highlighted serious delays in driving tests in Cyprus, which he said were causing frustration for thousands of young applicants.
“Right now, someone who gets a learner’s permit today will be examined in June – that’s nine months. If more examiners aren’t hired, it will be even longer,” he warned.
He added that all districts are facing the same problem, forcing applicants to travel between cities to find available test dates.
“If the issue is not solved immediately, we are ready to go on strike. For two years now, nothing has changed,” Droushiotis said.
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