What could European driving licences look like in the future?

23 May 2022 What could European driving licences look like in the future?

They used to be a piece of paper easily torn. They have now the size and the texture of a credit card. Driving licences in Europe have kept evolving for the past decades. Today, the European Commission envisages revising the legislation on driving licences to answer several challenges, including road safety, digitalisation, and obstacles to renewal.

In a newly published paper, Eurosmart gives detailed recommendations to bring driving licences into the 21st century. New security requirements, including incorporating a chip containing the holder’s portrait and biometric data, would reduce the number of forged licences and improve road safety. Combined with a harmonised layout, the chip would also facilitate cross-border usage of driving licences, including the renewal in another Member State.

You will find below the complete set of recommendations.