The International Road Transport Union (IRU) welcomes the European Parliament’s final approval of the modernised EU driving licence rules. The reform, agreed between EU institutions earlier this year, strengthens road safety and improves access to the profession, in line with IRU priorities.
With the law now adopted, 18-year-olds can drive trucks and 21-year-olds can drive buses, if they hold a full Certificate of Professional Competence.
The updated rules also introduce accompanied professional truck driving from the age of 17 and establish a fully digital EU-wide driving licence.
These measures, long advocated for by IRU, strengthen the attractiveness of the profession for younger generations while maintaining high safety and training standards.
IRU EU Director Raluca Marian said, “Today’s vote by the Parliament has turned this reform into EU law.
“It brings long-awaited clarity and modernisation to driver training and licensing, helping Europe attract new generations of professional drivers while keeping safety and enforcement at the core.
“The focus now turns to consistent application by Member States.”
The road transport sector continues to face a chronic driver shortage. More than half a million positions are currently unfilled across Europe.
By lowering entry barriers, promoting structured accompanied driving and improving licence portability, the new law will help attract young talent and renew an ageing workforce. This is essential to maintain EU passenger and freight transport services and ensure the continuity of mobility and supply chains.
The harmonised digital licence will simplify checks, reduce paperwork and make enforcement fairer and more efficient across borders. Stronger recognition of driving disqualifications between Member States will also improve compliance and road safety.
The directive further modernises driver training by adding modules on risk awareness, vulnerable road users, distraction and blind-spot management. IRU supported this skills-based approach as a more effective way to improve safety than introducing new restrictions.
The new rules will enter into force on the 20th day after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States will have three years to transpose the directive into national law and an additional year to prepare for the implementation.
IRU will continue working with the EU to ensure consistent application and advance the recognition of third-country driver qualifications, which is essential to address Europe’s long-term driver shortage.
