New Driving Licence Directive

In April 2025, the European Union Legislators - the Commission, Council and Parliament - agreed on the final compromise text of the new Driving Licence Directive that will replace the current Directive 2006/126/EC.

While the nerw Directive has not yet been published, Transport Malta is alreadt actively preparing for the changes that this new Directive will require in the context of driver testing and licensing. This follows Transport Malta's active role throughout the negotiations on the new Directive, first at Council and then during trilogue between Council, Commission and Parliament.

The key changes expected from the new Driving Licence Directive are:

A. Road Safety:

1. Digital Driving Licenses: EU digital driving licenses will be accessible on mobile phones or other devices and recognised throughout the EU.
2. Probationary Period: A minimum two-year probationary period with stricter rules for new drivers will be introduced across all Member States.
3. Medical Fitness: All Member States will be required to check medical fitness when issuing or renewing driving licences, either through medical examinations or self-assessment screening.
4. More Harmonisation for Driver Testing: New standardised rules for driver testing will harmonise this process across the EU, with a focus on the impartiality and skills of driving examiners and tests based on real-world driving situations and vulnerable road users.
5. Graduated Access to Motorcycles: New rules will specify testing requirements for motorcycle licenses, including graduated access to heavier motorcycles. In this context, Transport Malta has commissioned a study on the potential impacts of allowing 16- or 17-year-olds to start driving moped and/or low-powered motorcycles, a practice that is widely used in almost all other Member States. A public consultation on the matter is underway. If you would like to contribute, kindly click here to be redirected to the questionnaire.
6. Accompanied driving scheme: New driverd under the age of 18 will obligwed to drive only when  accompanied by an older, experienced driver.

B. Mobility and Mutual Recognition:

1. EU Digital Wallet: The digital wallet will facilitate the use of digital licenses, and other documents, and streamline administrative processes.
2. Better Mutual Recognition: The directive aims to simplify the process of recognizing driving licenses issued by different EU member states.
3. Common Standards: The existing rules for driving license models, categories, issuance, validity, renewal, and mutual recognition have been revised and simplified.

C. Other Aspects:

1. Fraud Prevention: New measures are being introduced to prevent or detect fraud through microchips in licenses and a better network for checking licenses.
2. Validity Periods: Car and motorcycle licenses will have validity periods of 10-15 years, with more frequent renewals required after 70.
3. Professional Drivers: Professional drivers will require mandatory medical checks every five years. The Driver CPC Directive is now subject to a review by the EU Commission which will possibly lead to a proposal to amend the existing Driver CPC Directive.
    

Page Last Updated: 19/08/2025