Stricter driving license requirements for both young people and the elderly

If the European Union has its way, driving license requirements for seniors and those who have just gotten their driving license will be tightened. Although the requirements for a pink passport are already quite strict in our country, these plans also affect the Dutch.

Think of a digital driver’s license. The European Commission’s draft law states that the pink cards must go digital. These driving licenses are valid for 15 years instead of the 10-year validity period that still applies in the Netherlands.

Driving license for seniors is valid for a shorter period of time

A digital passport offers the possibility to renew your driver’s license online. Useful, especially for seniors. You will need to apply for an extension more often. From the age of seventy, your driving license is only valid for five years. Older people, for example, can be tested more frequently to determine their fitness to drive.

In the Netherlands, seniors are valid for five years, but seniors are only considered to be 75 years of age. If the European Commission has its way, this age limit will also be lowered in the Netherlands. For other European countries, the change is greater. Some of them currently have even less stringent senior driver’s license rules.

No more alcohol for novice drivers

There are also changes for novice drivers. In the Netherlands, you are still allowed to have 0.2 per mil alcohol in your blood while driving. That’s less than a glass of alcohol. According to the Trimbos Institute, even that little bit can easily affect your alertness, coordination, and balance. In addition, sometimes even the first signs of drowsiness can be seen. Not useful while driving. To avoid accidents, soon every drop is one too many.

The European Commission plans for this strict alcohol policy to apply for the first two years after obtaining a driver’s license. In the Netherlands, on the other hand, you are a novice driver five years after obtaining your driving licence. It is not known if the Netherlands has this zero tolerancewants to extend the policy to five years, or that a maximum of 0.2 per mille will again be accepted for novice drivers after two years.