New EU Driving Licence Rules

The European Union has approved major changes to driving licence rules across Member States. Here’s a breakdown of the key points and how they affect Spain.

1. 17-year-olds may soon drive (with conditions)
From the new rules: youngsters aged 17 will be able to obtain a Category B (car) licence — but only if they drive accompanied by an experienced driver until they turn 18.

2. Age limits for professional vehicles lowered

• Truck (Category C) licences can be issued at 18 years old (with the required professional certificate).

• Bus (Category D) licences can be issued at 21 years old (again, with the professional certificate).
  In Spain, some of these changes don’t shift things much, because existing rules already allow similar ages under certain conditions.

3. Stricter rules for new drivers
For the first two years after getting a licence, novice drivers will face tougher penalties if they:

• drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• fail to wear a seatbelt or use a child-restraint system

4. Driving licences become truly European
If a licence is withdrawn in one Member State (for serious offences), the disqualification will apply across the whole EU.

5. Modernising the licence & test

• A digital driving licence (accessible via mobile phone) is planned by around 2030.

• The driving test will include new topics: blind-spot awareness, driver-assistance systems, safe door-opening, and distraction risks (phones, pedestrians, cyclists).

• Licences for cars/motorcycles will generally have a validity of up to 15 years (may be 10 years in some states if used as ID)

6. When do these changes take effect?
Once the directive is published in the Official Journal of the EU, Member States will have up to 4 years to adapt: 3 years to incorporate the rules into national law, plus an additional year to prepare implementation.

✅ Take-away for our clients and ourselves:
If you or your children are considering driving, especially in Spain as foreign residents/non-residents, keep an eye on national adaptation of these EU rules. They may affect driving age, licence validity, and cross-border enforcement. At SGM Abogados, we can advise on how these changes impact foreign clients, licence recognition and legal responsibilities.

Current license information can be found HERE