Filenews 7 February 2024
Serious traffic offences such as speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol should lead to disqualification from driving across the EU, the European Parliament demands.
Currently, if a driver loses their licence due to a traffic offence in an EU country other than the one that issued the licence, in most cases the penalty is imposed only in the country where the offence was committed and no restrictions apply in the rest of the EU.
To ensure that the suspension, restriction or withdrawal of a non-resident's driving licence applies in all EU countries, the new rules require this decision to be transmitted to the country that issued the licence.
The rapporteur EP Petar Vitanov (S&D, Bulgaria) said that "I believe that this directive will contribute not only to reducing road accidents, but also to raising citizens' awareness of more responsible driving, increasing their willingness to follow the rules and accept the consequences of their infringement, regardless of where they drive in the EU".
Dangerous offences
MEPs propose adding driving without a licence to the list of serious offences, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or a fatal road accident, which would lead to an exchange of information on driving disqualification. Driving at a speed of 50 km/h above the limit is also one of the serious offences that can lead to the withdrawal of a licence.
MEPs set a lower speed limit for built-up areas, meaning that driving at 30km/h above the speed limit on these roads could result in the loss or suspension of your driving licence.
Timetable
Parliament proposes setting a deadline of ten working days for Member States to exchange information on these decisions, as well as a deadline of 15 working days for deciding whether the driving ban should apply throughout the EU. The guide should be informed of the final decision within seven working days, MEPs add.
Next steps
The draft rules were adopted by 372 votes in favour, 220 against and 43 abstentions. The Parliament has now completed its first reading and as the Council has not yet adopted its position, the new Parliament elected in June 2024 will continue work on this legislation.
The rules on driving disqualifications are part of the road safety package presented by the Commission in March 2023, which also includes measures for cross-border exchange of information on rules on traffic offences, which are currently being negotiated with the Council.
The package aims to improve safety for all road users and move as close as possible to zero road transport fatalities in the EU by 2050 – 'Vision Zero'.
