Some drivers will have their licenses revoked: new rules are coming, and not everyone will be able to stay behind the wheel.

Drivers may face new restrictions that will affect their right to drive.

European countries are constantly reviewing the conditions for allowing drivers of different age groups to operate vehicles. The latest changes affect both elderly motorists and younger generations. The relationship between age, road safety, and economic needs creates a complex regulatory system where each country seeks its own balance, writes Hvylya.

The "Vision Zero" strategy changes the rules for older drivers

The European Union, as part of the "Vision Zero" initiative aimed at reducing road fatalities, is implementing new rules for drivers over 65 years old. From 2024, psychological tests have become mandatory for license renewal in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Austria. Research by the European Commission shows that elderly individuals have a 23% higher risk of fatal outcomes in accidents compared to younger drivers.

Particularly strict restrictions are being introduced in the United Kingdom, where, starting this year, drivers over 70 have lost the right to drive motorhomes and caravans. In Italy, after the age of 75, annual medical examinations, including dementia tests, are required.

However, not everyone supports this approach. Belgian Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet believes that such measures may be discriminatory, as elderly drivers are often more cautious on the road. Lydia Peeters, Minister of Flanders, argues that "age is not an indicator of competence."

National systems: from strict restrictions to complete freedom

Medical requirements for drivers vary significantly across EU countries:

Portugal has set the earliest mandatory medical examinations at age 50, which is 15 years earlier than the EU average.
Spain has introduced a multi-stage verification system: after 65, a medical check-up is required every 5 years, after 70 – every 3 years, and after 75 – every 2 years.
Lithuania requires health checks for drivers from age 55, focusing on vision and hearing.
France represents the opposite approach – the country has no upper age limits, and license renewal depends solely on medical certification.

In Eastern Europe, a stricter approach prevails. For example, in Latvia, medical check-ups start at age 60, while in Greece, they begin only after 65.

Young drivers: lowering the age threshold sparks debate

The minimum age for obtaining a driver's license for passenger cars in most countries is 18, but there are exceptions:

France, Spain, and the Netherlands allow supervised driving from age 16.
Ireland and Sweden permit independent driving after training at age 17.

From 2025, the EU plans to introduce supervised driving from age 17, with a speed limit of 90 km/h. This has raised concerns among organizations such as GRACQ, which cite statistics: 22% of fatal accidents in France involve drivers aged 18-24.

For trucks and buses, the age requirement is significantly higher: 21 years in Germany and 24 years in Belgium. The European Parliament's proposal to lower the truck driver age to 17 has been criticized based on statistics showing that young drivers in Finland and Poland are 40% more likely to be involved in accidents.

The conflict between safety and citizens' rights

Statistics present a complex picture: while drivers over 75 make up only 8% of all road users, they account for 15% of fatal accidents. This highlights the need for special attention to this age group.

In 2023, Belgium, Germany, and Austria opposed a unified EU rule that would limit elderly drivers' licenses to a five-year validity period, arguing that such an approach is discriminatory.

Comparative analysis reveals a clear regional divide: Western Europe focuses on individual medical evaluations, while Eastern European countries prefer strict age limits.

What lies ahead for drivers

European trends indicate:

Increasing the frequency of medical examinations for people over 65.
Gradual liberalization of rules for young drivers, especially in freight transportation, due to a severe labor shortage.
Plans to introduce digital driver's licenses by 2030 and harmonize age requirements for cargo transportation.

Thus, age restrictions in Europe reflect a complex balance between ensuring road safety, protecting citizens' rights, and meeting economic needs. Despite the desire to unify regulations, national peculiarities remain significant, requiring further analysis of their impact on cross-border mobility and road safety.