The European Commission proposed on Wednesday March 1 the introduction of a digital driving license. Accessible online from a mobile phone, it would be valid throughout the European Union.
The goal: to improve recognition of the precious sesame among all Member States. It will also be “easier to replace, renew or exchange the driving license, since all the procedures will be carried out online”, the European executive details in a press release.
For citizens outside the EU zone, it will also be “easier” to exchange their driving license for the new document recognized by the Member States.
Interoperability criteria
“Minimum requirements” must still be established to allow “interoperability, security and testing of applications for driving licenses on mobile phones,” the Commission details.
This proposal, which requires a review of the current directive on driving licences, is part of the definition of new European standards to reduce the number of victims on the road. Therefore, the various legislative texts will have to be negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council in order to be adopted.
The Commission proposes a period of 18 months from the adoption of the directive to agree on the technical details.
“Once Member States have had the opportunity to integrate these requirements into their national IT systems, the Commission proposes that digital driving licenses be issued by default, four years after the date of adoption of the directive,” he specifies.
Eventually, European drivers will still be able to keep a physical driver’s license, in addition to its digital equivalent.
An online portal to pay fines
Beyond the new licensing rules, the EU executive is also proposing to update driving tests. For example, they will assess “knowledge and skills related to advanced driver assistance systems and other automated technologies.”
To better fight traffic offences, Brussels intends to facilitate the transmission of information between Member States by allowing authorities in different countries to access national driving license registers. The creation of a “tailored digital investigative tool to better identify the driver/person responsible” is also proposed.
On the driver’s side, a “specific computer portal” will eventually allow citizens to directly pay the fines imposed on them.
Source: BFM TV
