The regulations adopted by the European Parliament aim to reduce the number of deaths and serious accidents on roads to zero by 2050. One of the elements is the abolition of perpetual driving licenses. Such documents were issued before 2013 and most of the over 22 million Polish drivers have them.
“Driving licenses issued before January 19, 2013, i.e. the so-called perpetual licenses, will be subject to mandatory exchange,” says Anna Szumańska from the Ministry of Infrastructure in an interview with Dziennik.
He estimates the number of documents that will need to be replaced with ones with an administrative validity period at approximately 15 million. The process of replacing them will start on January 19, 2028 and will last five years. However, it is possible to exchange it earlier at the owner's request.
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End of indefinite driving licenses. The documents will be valid for a maximum of 15 years
Under new European Union regulations, the standard validity period of a driving license will be 15 years. In Poland, driving licenses for drivers of two-wheelers, passenger cars and tractors are already valid for such a period. For professional drivers with permission to drive trucks and buses, the document will be valid for 5 years.
These periods may be shortened if the driving license also serves as a national identity document or in the event of health problems of the driver.
Read also: Check the front of your driving license. Some drivers need to exchange documents
Mandatory medical examinations for drivers. “Self-assessment form” also acceptable
The changes will also include rules regarding medical examinations of drivers. Before issuing the first driving license or renewing it, drivers will have to undergo vision and cardiovascular tests. At the same time, Member States may introduce a simplified procedure, replacing medical examinations with a “self-assessment form” for drivers of passenger cars and motorcycles, reports the Journal.
Although the European Parliament has not introduced mandatory shortening of the validity of driving licenses for older people, member states will be able to decide on such regulation themselves. Drivers over the age of 65 may be required to have more frequent checkups.
Read also: Older drivers with additional responsibilities? There is a decision of the European Union
Information about the driver's offenses is to be sent to his country
The new regulations also aim to improve the enforcement of road rules. Suspension of a driving license from a citizen of one country in another Member State is to be respected throughout the EU. Information about the driver's offense will be sent to the country that issued the document, and the most serious violations, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or causing a fatal accident, will be recorded in the European Driving License Network (RESPER).
