The digital driving license could become the standard format in the EU around the end of 2030.
Liviu Brăteanu
EU
Foto: Pixabay
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The mobile driving license could become the standard format in the European Union around the last quarter of 2030, according to the timeline prepared by the European Commission for the implementation of new rules regarding driving licenses. Member states will still need to allow the issuance of a physical document, and both formats will have the same legal value.
Most changes, including a probation period of at least two years for novice drivers and the cross-border application of certain driving rights suspensions, will start to apply on November 26, 2029. Accompanied driving for 17-year-olds must be introduced earlier, starting from November 26, 2028, and some rights for vehicles with alternative fuels will become applicable from November 2027.
In short, the Commission estimates that mobile licenses will become the standard format around the last quarter of 2030, 54 months after the adoption of the first technical standards, but will assess by November 26, 2026, whether the deadline can be advanced. Member states must transpose most of the rules by November 26, 2028, and apply them simultaneously from November 26, 2029, to avoid different systems in the case of cross-border travel. Young people will be able to obtain a category B license at 17, but until they reach the age of 18, they will only drive accompanied by a person who meets the established conditions. Novice drivers will have a probation period of at least two years, with stricter rules or penalties regarding alcohol and measures related to drugs, seat belts, and child protection systems. Suspensions or withdrawals for certain serious offenses committed in another member state will be communicated through the European network RESPER and enforced by the country that issued the license, with exceptions and appeals provided for by the new rules.
The mobile license will be issued for use in the European Digital Identity Wallet and can be retrieved electronically at no cost to the holder. Member states will need to ensure its equivalence with the physical license and recognition of the document throughout the Union.
Holders will retain the right to request the license in physical format or in both formats. Physical documents in circulation will need to be adapted to the new requirements by January 19, 2033, which means that the transition to the digital system will not immediately eliminate existing cards.
The Commission intends to adopt in the third quarter of 2026 the technical standards for the appearance of the mobile license, interoperability, security, data updating, verification, and connection with national systems. Their adoption will start the 54-month period after which the mobile license is expected to become the standard format recognized throughout the EU.
The indicative timeline places this moment around the last quarter of 2030. However, the Commission must evaluate by November 26, 2026, or immediately after the adoption of the technical standards whether the system can be introduced earlier.
The date does not represent a deadline for eliminating the physical license. National authorities will continue to issue it to those who request it, even after the mobile version becomes the standard format.
The introduction of the digital license will require the adaptation of the systems of administrations, police, car rental companies, insurers, and other organizations that verify the right to drive. They must accept the mobile document and process only the necessary data for verification, without retaining them in the absence of a legal basis.
The Commission identifies among the main risks the incompatibility of national systems, delays in the development of IT infrastructure, and insufficient preparation of organizations that verify licenses. If some systems are not functional in time, holders may encounter difficulties in using the digital license in other member states.
The exchange of information will use the European driving license network, RESPER. This already exists but will receive additional functions for document verification, fraud prevention, changing and replacing licenses, and applying cross-border suspensions.
The Commission is preparing new operational and technical rules for RESPER. The strategy indicates their adoption in the second half of 2026, followed by the adaptation of national systems before the general application of the new rules in November 2029.
One of the most important elements for drivers is the new mechanism regarding suspensions and withdrawals of the right to drive. It targets certain measures imposed for serious offenses in a member state different from the one that issued the license.
The country where the offense occurred will communicate the measure to the state that issued the license, using a standard certificate and the RESPER network. The issuing state will have to apply the withdrawal, suspension, or restriction on its own territory and record it in the national register, except in situations where there is a legal reason for non-application.
The new rules do not standardize the definitions of crimes and offenses or national penalties. They create a mechanism through which certain suspensions related to road safety can have effects even outside the country where the offense was committed.
The person concerned must be informed, where possible, within 20 working days of receiving the notification. The communication must explain the measure applied, its duration, the appeal procedures, and the process by which the license can be recovered or replaced.
Member states must provide appeal procedures against decisions made within the framework of the mechanism. Authorities will be able to refuse to apply a suspension when there is a mandatory reason for exemption and may use the optional reasons permitted by national legislation.
Another element introduced at the European level is accompanied driving from the age of 17. Category B licenses issued before reaching the age of 18 will carry a special European code, and the holder will only be able to drive alongside a person eligible to provide guidance.
Member states may establish additional conditions for the accompanying person and may extend the mechanism, under certain conditions, to some categories of vehicles for the transport of goods. The regime for category B must be transposed and applied from November 26, 2028.
Novice drivers will have a probation period of at least two years. States must introduce stricter rules or penalties regarding alcohol than those applicable to experienced drivers and adopt measures related to driving under the influence of drugs, seat belt use, and child protection.
Countries may retain or introduce additional national requirements for novice drivers. However, the Commission warns that differences must be clearly communicated to avoid situations where a driver is unaware of the applicable rules when crossing the border.
The assessment of the physical and mental ability to drive will also be updated. Depending on the category of the license and the system chosen by each state, applicants and holders may be subject to a medical examination, a medical self-assessment, or a national monitoring mechanism.
If self-assessment or monitoring indicates a problem, the person must be directed to a medical examination. The Commission believes that the application of the rules will require closer cooperation between transport authorities, health systems, and doctors who assess the ability to drive.
Member states retain a margin of choice regarding how they organize medical assessments. The Commission intends to support the exchange of best practices, as very different systems could create risks for road safety or could lead individuals to attempt to obtain a license in a country with less strict controls.
The requirements for training and exams will pay greater attention to pedestrians, cyclists, and users of micromobility vehicles. Programs must also include eco-driving, electric vehicles, advanced assistance systems, and automated driving technologies.
Driving schools, instructors, and examiners will need to update their materials, methods, and content of tests. The Commission recommends starting preparations early, as modifying programs and training staff may require long periods.
The general validity rules will establish a period of 15 years for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, and BE, with certain possibilities for reduction. For professional categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, and D1E, the administrative validity will be five years.
States will be able to adopt national legislation before the transposition deadline, but they will not be able to apply the new provisions before the dates set at the European level. The Commission believes that simultaneous application is necessary for drivers to have the same rights and obligations when traveling between states.
The first provisions will become applicable on November 26, 2027, and concern the possibility of driving certain vehicles with alternative fuels, with a maximum authorized mass of up to 4.25 tons, using a B or BE license. The Commission specifies that states must not apply these provisions before the deadline, even if they transpose them earlier.
The new rules also allow for a common approach for exchanging licenses issued by certain countries outside the Union. The Commission will assess whether their road safety systems offer guarantees comparable to European ones and may establish common conditions for exchanging licenses.
An initial indicative list of countries will be discussed with national experts by the end of 2026. The first assessments are planned for 2027, and the strategy aims for the first decisions to be available before the full application of the directive in 2029.
The Commission will organize quarterly meetings with member states, prepare guidelines and templates, and verify the adaptation of national legislations. The strategy identifies as main difficulties digitalization, interoperability, data protection, cooperation between authorities, medical assessments, and uniform application of cross-border suspensions.
The new directives came into force on November 25, 2025. States must transpose most provisions by November 26, 2028, and general application is set for November 26, 2029.
The Commission estimates that 19,400 people died on the roads in the EU in 2025. The Union aims to halve road deaths by 2030 and approach zero deaths and serious injuries by 2050.
Most changes, including a probation period of at least two years for novice drivers and the cross-border application of certain driving rights suspensions, will start to apply on November 26, 2029. Accompanied driving for 17-year-olds must be introduced earlier, starting from November 26, 2028, and some rights for vehicles with alternative fuels will become applicable from November 2027.
In short, the Commission estimates that mobile licenses will become the standard format around the last quarter of 2030, 54 months after the adoption of the first technical standards, but will assess by November 26, 2026, whether the deadline can be advanced. Member states must transpose most of the rules by November 26, 2028, and apply them simultaneously from November 26, 2029, to avoid different systems in the case of cross-border travel. Young people will be able to obtain a category B license at 17, but until they reach the age of 18, they will only drive accompanied by a person who meets the established conditions. Novice drivers will have a probation period of at least two years, with stricter rules or penalties regarding alcohol and measures related to drugs, seat belts, and child protection systems. Suspensions or withdrawals for certain serious offenses committed in another member state will be communicated through the European network RESPER and enforced by the country that issued the license, with exceptions and appeals provided for by the new rules.
The mobile license will be issued for use in the European Digital Identity Wallet and can be retrieved electronically at no cost to the holder. Member states will need to ensure its equivalence with the physical license and recognition of the document throughout the Union.
Holders will retain the right to request the license in physical format or in both formats. Physical documents in circulation will need to be adapted to the new requirements by January 19, 2033, which means that the transition to the digital system will not immediately eliminate existing cards.
The Commission intends to adopt in the third quarter of 2026 the technical standards for the appearance of the mobile license, interoperability, security, data updating, verification, and connection with national systems. Their adoption will start the 54-month period after which the mobile license is expected to become the standard format recognized throughout the EU.
The indicative timeline places this moment around the last quarter of 2030. However, the Commission must evaluate by November 26, 2026, or immediately after the adoption of the technical standards whether the system can be introduced earlier.
The date does not represent a deadline for eliminating the physical license. National authorities will continue to issue it to those who request it, even after the mobile version becomes the standard format.
The introduction of the digital license will require the adaptation of the systems of administrations, police, car rental companies, insurers, and other organizations that verify the right to drive. They must accept the mobile document and process only the necessary data for verification, without retaining them in the absence of a legal basis.
The Commission identifies among the main risks the incompatibility of national systems, delays in the development of IT infrastructure, and insufficient preparation of organizations that verify licenses. If some systems are not functional in time, holders may encounter difficulties in using the digital license in other member states.
The exchange of information will use the European driving license network, RESPER. This already exists but will receive additional functions for document verification, fraud prevention, changing and replacing licenses, and applying cross-border suspensions.
The Commission is preparing new operational and technical rules for RESPER. The strategy indicates their adoption in the second half of 2026, followed by the adaptation of national systems before the general application of the new rules in November 2029.
One of the most important elements for drivers is the new mechanism regarding suspensions and withdrawals of the right to drive. It targets certain measures imposed for serious offenses in a member state different from the one that issued the license.
The country where the offense occurred will communicate the measure to the state that issued the license, using a standard certificate and the RESPER network. The issuing state will have to apply the withdrawal, suspension, or restriction on its own territory and record it in the national register, except in situations where there is a legal reason for non-application.
The new rules do not standardize the definitions of crimes and offenses or national penalties. They create a mechanism through which certain suspensions related to road safety can have effects even outside the country where the offense was committed.
The person concerned must be informed, where possible, within 20 working days of receiving the notification. The communication must explain the measure applied, its duration, the appeal procedures, and the process by which the license can be recovered or replaced.
Member states must provide appeal procedures against decisions made within the framework of the mechanism. Authorities will be able to refuse to apply a suspension when there is a mandatory reason for exemption and may use the optional reasons permitted by national legislation.
Another element introduced at the European level is accompanied driving from the age of 17. Category B licenses issued before reaching the age of 18 will carry a special European code, and the holder will only be able to drive alongside a person eligible to provide guidance.
Member states may establish additional conditions for the accompanying person and may extend the mechanism, under certain conditions, to some categories of vehicles for the transport of goods. The regime for category B must be transposed and applied from November 26, 2028.
Novice drivers will have a probation period of at least two years. States must introduce stricter rules or penalties regarding alcohol than those applicable to experienced drivers and adopt measures related to driving under the influence of drugs, seat belt use, and child protection.
Countries may retain or introduce additional national requirements for novice drivers. However, the Commission warns that differences must be clearly communicated to avoid situations where a driver is unaware of the applicable rules when crossing the border.
The assessment of the physical and mental ability to drive will also be updated. Depending on the category of the license and the system chosen by each state, applicants and holders may be subject to a medical examination, a medical self-assessment, or a national monitoring mechanism.
If self-assessment or monitoring indicates a problem, the person must be directed to a medical examination. The Commission believes that the application of the rules will require closer cooperation between transport authorities, health systems, and doctors who assess the ability to drive.
Member states retain a margin of choice regarding how they organize medical assessments. The Commission intends to support the exchange of best practices, as very different systems could create risks for road safety or could lead individuals to attempt to obtain a license in a country with less strict controls.
The requirements for training and exams will pay greater attention to pedestrians, cyclists, and users of micromobility vehicles. Programs must also include eco-driving, electric vehicles, advanced assistance systems, and automated driving technologies.
Driving schools, instructors, and examiners will need to update their materials, methods, and content of tests. The Commission recommends starting preparations early, as modifying programs and training staff may require long periods.
The general validity rules will establish a period of 15 years for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B, and BE, with certain possibilities for reduction. For professional categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, and D1E, the administrative validity will be five years.
States will be able to adopt national legislation before the transposition deadline, but they will not be able to apply the new provisions before the dates set at the European level. The Commission believes that simultaneous application is necessary for drivers to have the same rights and obligations when traveling between states.
The first provisions will become applicable on November 26, 2027, and concern the possibility of driving certain vehicles with alternative fuels, with a maximum authorized mass of up to 4.25 tons, using a B or BE license. The Commission specifies that states must not apply these provisions before the deadline, even if they transpose them earlier.
The new rules also allow for a common approach for exchanging licenses issued by certain countries outside the Union. The Commission will assess whether their road safety systems offer guarantees comparable to European ones and may establish common conditions for exchanging licenses.
An initial indicative list of countries will be discussed with national experts by the end of 2026. The first assessments are planned for 2027, and the strategy aims for the first decisions to be available before the full application of the directive in 2029.
The Commission will organize quarterly meetings with member states, prepare guidelines and templates, and verify the adaptation of national legislations. The strategy identifies as main difficulties digitalization, interoperability, data protection, cooperation between authorities, medical assessments, and uniform application of cross-border suspensions.
The new directives came into force on November 25, 2025. States must transpose most provisions by November 26, 2028, and general application is set for November 26, 2029.
The Commission estimates that 19,400 people died on the roads in the EU in 2025. The Union aims to halve road deaths by 2030 and approach zero deaths and serious injuries by 2050.
Sources
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