EU backs down on forcing Member States to allow 17-year-old lorry drivers

In a deal struck early this morning EU negotiators agreed to a political deal on new rules on driving licences. 

The initial proposal from the European Commission, published in 2023, would have required all EU countries to allow 17-year-olds to train to drive a lorry.  But the final deal merely makes this optional for Member States.  

Ellen Townsend, Policy Director of the European Transport Safety Council said:

“Allowing teenagers to drive lorries at 17 is and always was a terrible idea.  Data from several countries show that younger drivers of heavy goods vehicles are much more likely to crash.  We urge Member States not to take up this option.”  

The legislation introduces some positive changes.  For the first time, there will be a probationary period of at least two years for all new drivers in the EU.  However, the headline initiative to require all Member States to introduce a total alcohol ban for novice drivers has been dropped.  Instead, Member States should apply stricter rules or sanctions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  

Townsend commented:

“Zero tolerance on drink-driving for all new drivers was a simple and effective rule that should have been applied across the EU.  It’s a shame that Member States have watered down this text.  We hope the remaining EU countries that don’t yet apply this rule will do so soon, in particular Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark and Finland that still have a 0.5 BAC limit for novice drivers.  All other EU countries have or will soon have either a zero or 0.2 limit for novice drivers.”    

In the future, learner drivers will also be trained on new driver assistance technologies, another important step forward.  

Another small change in the legislation will enable more people to use an alcohol interlock instead of receiving a driving ban for drink-driving in countries such as Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Poland and Sweden that have such a programme.