EU-wide driving licence

National capitals have given the green light to the introduction of a new EU-wide driving licence - equipped with photo and smart card.

Europe's transport ministers agreed on plans to phase in new credit card sized licences - replacing over 110 different styles of driving certificates used within the EU 25 bloc.

Paper licences which are easy to forge and often decades old will be no longer issued, and will be gradually be replaced by plastic cards equipped with a recent photo of the bearer and a smart chip carrying his or her driving information.

Old licences will be exchanged for the new ones as and when they expire to avoid the administrative nightmare of replacing millions of driving licences. The new card will be valid for ten years.

Drivers already in possession of a licence can keep their existing documents, and will not have to re-sit their tests.

The proposed reforms are meant to improve the free movement of the 200 million licence holders across Europe, combat fraud and contribute to the EU’s mission to make Europe’s roads safer.

Ministers also on Thursday agreed to introduce driving licences for moped drivers across the EU and gave the go ahead to minimum qualifications and training for driving test examiners.

The proposals will now be scrutinised by MEPs. The first reading in the European Parliament is scheduled for February 2005.

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