European Parliament backs EU driving licence.  
Introduction of single European driving licence within 20 years.  

The European Parliament voted at the end of February to back the Directive that proposes the introduction of a European driving licence to replace the 100 odd different driving models currently in circulation in the EU.  

This lack of harmonisation of driving licences hinders the work of the police and affects general transport safety. Officers are not always able to immediately verify the authenticity of a licence or even if the driver is eligible to drive that particular class of vehicle.  

As stated in the January EuroCOP press release this signifies an even greater problem in the fight against organised crime and terrorism. Driving licences are a widely accepted proof of identification.  The great number of different existing licence models with a lack of security features is an open invitation to criminals and terrorists to take advantage of the situation.  

Although the more recent licence models have various security features, some models dating back to the 1950s are fairly easy to falsify. With this proposed legislation drivers will be required to renew their licences, containing security features, every 10 years. This would give authorities the opportunity to introduce up-to-date security features every time.  Under the proposed Directive paper driving licences, still in use in some Member States, are to be entirely replaced by the “credit card” model within 10 years.

MEPs also agreed to the proposed introduction of a European driving licence information network.  Member States would be required to set up a common information system on drivers from other countries. The idea behind the proposal is to be able to prevent drivers with restricted or suspended licences applying for one in a different Member State. 

This bill, as amended by MEPs, will now be passed back to EU transport Ministers with a final version needing Council and Parliament approval. 

EuroCOP supports this proposal for the implementation of a single European driving licence in order to facilitate the work of police officers in the interest of public safety and security.