Driving in Europe: New EU law to require medical tests and end 'licences for life'

Adding a compulsory medical examination for drivers has been an ongoing debate in the EU for several years - with advocates saying that it will help ensure that older drivers are still fit to drive safely.

On October 21st, the MEPs in the European Parliament voted to adopt a package of new regulations aimed at improving road safety and reducing the amount of accidents. Currently, around 20,000 people lose their lives on EU roads every year. The EU seeks to reach zero road deaths by 2050.

These include imposing EU-wide bans on drivers who lose their licence - but also ends the practice of countries issuing 'licences for life'.

Instead a driving licence issued in an EU country will be valid for 15 years - and then drivers will have to get it renewed.

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However, while the EU suggests that countries add a medical examination as a requirement to renew a licence, the final decision on the exact process for renewal is down to each country.

For example, they may choose to replace the medical exam with self-assessment forms or other assessment systems designed at national level.

The period of validity may also be reduced for drivers over the age of 65 in order to require them to undergo more frequent medical exams and refresher courses - again, this will be up to each country.

Each EU member state now has three years to decide on the process they want to use, and introduce the system.

Some EU countries already require medical tests for older drivers while other countries around Europe - such as the UK - require older drivers to renew their licence, but don't impose a medical test.

The Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Italy, Finland, Greece and the Czech Republic all require older drivers to take a medical in order to keep their licence - the test age varies from 50 to 70 - while Belgium requires regular tests for drivers of all ages.

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