The idea of ​​obtaining two types of driving licenses in the European Union fails at the first hurdle

The European Parliament’s Transport Committee on Thursday I accepted His position on driver’s license reform. Members of the European Parliament will make medical examinations mandatory in all member states when obtaining or renewing the document.

With some exceptions, driver’s licenses will be valid for at least 15 years for motorcycles, cars and tractors, and for at least five years for trucks and buses.

Novice drivers will be placed on probation for at least two years, before facing tougher penalties for unsafe driving, among other things.

Car education will be adapted to changes such as the appearance of electric scooters and bicycles on the roads or the use of different driver assistance systems. Safe use of phones and reducing the emission of harmful substances will also be included in the curriculum.

Committee representatives also supported the use of a digital driver’s license equivalent to existing cards, which can also be presented on their phones.

Category B+ and frequent screening of the elderly were eliminated

The draft text was approved by a single majority, with two members abstaining from voting. As we wrote previously, Karima Deli, the parliamentarian responsible for the text, was to tighten the European Commission’s original proposal, by introducing, among other things, a separate B+ category for heavier passenger cars. He justified the amendment by the spread of off-road vehicles (SUVs) in urban areas, which, according to him, are considered more dangerous and consume more fuel.

The idea failed at the first hurdle, in the parliamentary committee, before it was put to a vote in the entire House of Representatives. (Even if Category B+ survives this stage, the European Parliament must develop and adopt final legislation in cooperation with member state ministers. At the moment, the question is only what positions the two EU bodies should take in negotiations.) )

The split into two parts had previously been attacked by both Fidesz and opposition representatives. István Ojeli, a former member of the MSZP party, now a politician in the colors of Esély Közöséd, on Facebook after the vote mentionedThat “we succeeded in excavating the crazy plan.”

the EURACTIV According to him, the Socialists and Greens will also determine the type of medical examinations expected for the driver’s licence. Ultimately, only vision checks will be mandatory, and other details can be decided by member states within their jurisdiction. Ministers have already accepted their position and will leave the door open for self-assessment, meaning the leaders themselves can attest to whether they are fit to lead.

Representatives of the specialized committee also proposed extending the validity of driving licenses for a shorter period of time only for those over 70 years of age. The center-right European People’s Party points to the mobility and independence of older people Attack him the plan.