View source for European driving licence

{{Short description|none}}
{{About|the driving licences for vehicles issued by member states of the [[European Economic Area|EEA]]|driving licences issued in other European countries|Driving licence|the computer literacy certification|European Computer Driving Licence}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

{{Infobox identity document
|document_name= European driving licence
|image        = [[File:Croatian driving licence 2023 (recto).jpg|200px]][[File:Norway driving licence front (2022).png|200px]]
|image_caption= Examples of the European driving licence issued in [[Croatia]] and [[Norway]]. Licences issued in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway do not feature the EU flag. 
|date_first_issued  = 29 July 1991
|using_jurisdiction = [[EU member states]] and member states of the [[European Economic Area]]{{Efn|The legal ''[[Acquis communautaire|acquis]]'' is marked as EEA-relevant by the EU, and is incorporated into the [[European Economic Area|EEA Agreement]] (by [[Iceland]], [[Liechtenstein]] and [[Norway]]).|name=eea-relevance|group=}}
|valid_jurisdictions= The [[European Economic Area]]
|document_type=
|purpose      = Access to unified driving licence in any of the [[European Economic Area|EEA member states]]
|eligibility  = EEA residency
|expiration   =
}}

The '''European driving licence''' is a [[driving licence]] issued by the member states of the [[European Economic Area]] (EEA); all [[Member state of the European Union|27 EU member states]] and three [[EFTA|EFTA member states]]; [[Iceland]], [[Liechtenstein]] and [[Norway]], which give shared features the various driving licence styles formerly in use. It is credit card-style with a photograph. They were introduced to replace the 110 different plastic and paper driving licences of the 300 million drivers in the EEA. The main objective of the licence is to reduce the risk of fraud.

A driving licence issued by a member state of the EEA is recognised throughout the EEA and can be used as long as it is valid, the driver is old enough to drive a vehicle of the equivalent category, and the licence is not suspended or restricted and has not been revoked in the issuing country. If the holder of an EEA driving licence moves to another EEA country, the licence can be exchanged for a driving licence from the new EEA country. However, as all EEA driving licences are recognised throughout the EEA, it is usually not necessary to exchange it before it expires.<ref name="auto" />

The exception is for those holding EEA driving licences issued in exchange for a non‑EEA licence. When holding a converted licence, one should not assume the licence is recognized when moving to another EEA country, which might require that the driving licence be converted again to a licence issued by that country.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url= http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/driving-licence/driving-licence-recognition-validity/index_en.htm |title=Driving licence recognition and validity|website=Europa.eu|access-date=10 September 2022}}</ref>

== History ==
=== 1980–1996 ===
The first step to a European driving licence was taken on 4 December 1980, when the [[Council of the European Union|Council of Ministers]] adopted Council Directive 80/1263/EEC on the introduction of a Community driving licence, which established a Community model national licence that guaranteed the mutual recognition by the Member States of national licences. It also established the practice of exchange of licences by holders moving from one Member State to another.

=== 1996–2013 ===
{{Multiple image
|image1= PC-Europ01-275x379.jpg
|image2= DE Licence Desiré Jeanette Mustermann Front.jpg
|footer= Examples of the paper and [[plastic card]] models in 91/439/EEC
|direction = vertical
|align = left
}}
{{Infobox EU legislation
|type     = Directive
|title    = Council Directive on driving licences
|number   = 91/439/EEC
|madeby   = [[Council of the European Union]]
|madeunder= Art. 75 TEC
|OJref    = L237, pp 1–24
|OJrefurl = http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:31991L0439:EN:HTML
|made     = 29 July 1991
|commenced= 24 August 1991
|implementation= 1 July 1996
|replaces  = Directive 80/1263/EEC
|amendedby =
|replacedby= Directive 2006/126/EC
|status    = Repealed
}}
On 29 July 1991, the Council of Ministers adopted the Council of the European Union Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences. The directive required [[EU Member States]] to adopt laws implementing the directive before 1 July 1994, which took effect on 1 July 1996. Directive 80/1263/EEC was repealed on the same date.

Directive 91/439/EEC was incorporated into the EEA Agreement through Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No&nbsp;7/94 of 21 March 1994,<ref>{{Citation|title=Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No&nbsp;7/94 of 21 March 1994 amending Protocol&nbsp;47 and certain Annexes to the EEA Agreement|date=1994-06-28|url= http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/1994/7/oj/eng |issue=21994D0628(01)|language=en|access-date=2021-03-15|archive-date=20 December 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211220181951/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/1994/7/oj/eng |url-status=live}}</ref> and specified driving licence in the European Union and the European Economic Area until its repeal on 19 January 2013.

==== Provisions ====
The Council of the European Union Directive 91/439/EEC harmonised the categories of driving licences among the Member States and established two Community driving licence models, one paper version and one plastic card version. It furthermore established an obligatory test of knowledge (theory) and a test of skills and behaviour (practical) which had to be successfully passed before an individual is offered a driving licence. It also required an applicant to meet the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness to drive. The directive specified the minimum ages for driving different types of vehicles, and established progressive access in categories A, C, and&nbsp;D, from light vehicles to larger or more powerful vehicles. The directive stipulated that it is mandatory to have the normal residence in the Member State issuing the licence.<ref name="Commission">European Commission website – [http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/behavior/driving_licence_en.htm Transport: driving licence] {{webarchive|url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090207060411/http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/behavior/driving_licence_en.htm |date= 7 February 2009 }}</ref>

==== Amendments ====
The Directive was substantially amended by nine directives and two acts of accession. The plastic card version of the Community licence model, for example, was added to the Directive by Council Directive 96/47/EC of 23 July 1996.<ref name="Directive96">{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1991L0439:20080718:EN:PDF|title=Consolidated version of Directive 91/439/EEC as of 18 July 2008|website=europa.eu}}</ref>

=== Since 2013 ===
{{Infobox EU legislation
|type  = Directive
|title = Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on driving licences (Recast)
|number= 2006/126/EC
|EEA   = yes
|madeby= [[European Parliament]] & [[Council of the European Union|Council]]
|madeunder = Art. 71 TEC
|OJref     = L403, pp. 18–60
|OJrefurl  = http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:403:0018:0060:EN:PDF
|made      = 30 December 2006
|commenced = 19 January 2007
|implementation= 19 January 2013
|replaces  = Directive 91/439/EEC
|status    = Current
|EEADec=29/2008}}

In March 2006, the Council of Ministers adopted a Directive proposed by the [[European Commission]] to create a single European driving licence to replace the 110 different models in existence throughout the EU/EEA at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.svd.se/dynamiskt/utrikes/did_12218466.asp |title=Klartecken för EU-körkort |work=Svenska Dagbladet |access-date=27 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011150759/http://www.svd.se/dynamiskt/utrikes/did_12218466.asp |archive-date=11 October 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4849330.stm | work=BBC News | title=EU backs European driving licence | date=27 March 2006 | access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref> The [[European Parliament]] adopted the Directive in December 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.workpermit.com/news/2006_12_18/eu/european_driving_license.htm|title=EU announces plans for European driving license|date=18 December 2006|website=Workpermit.com}}</ref> Directive 2006/126/EC was published in the [[Official Journal of the European Union]] on 30 December 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32006L0126 |title=Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the council |work=Official Journal of the European Union|date=30 December 2006 }}</ref>
Its provisions took effect on 19 January 2013; Directive 91/439/EEC was then concurrently repealed.

==== Provisions ====
The licence is a credit-card-style, single plastic-coated document, very difficult to counterfeit. The document is renewable every 10 or 15&nbsp;years depending on the member state. Several member states have the option to include a microchip containing information about the card holder on the card.

Some categories like C and D are issued for five years only. After expiration, a medical check-up is necessary in order to renew the licence for another five years.

==== EEA relevance ====
[[File:European Economic Area member states.svg|thumb|The EEA (blue and green)]]
The provisions of [[Directive (European Union)|Directive]] 2006/126/EC mention that it has European Economic Area (EEA) relevance, meaning that its provisions apply to all 27 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, through incorporation into the agreement on the EEA.<ref>{{Cite web|title=303795 {{!}} European Free Trade Association|url=https://www.efta.int/eea-lex/32006L0126|access-date=2021-03-09|website=www.efta.int}}</ref>

The Directive was incorporated into the EEA agreement through Decision of the EEA Joint committee No 29/2008 of 14 March 2008 amending Annex&nbsp;XIII (Transport) to the EEA Agreement.<ref name=":0" /> The Decision made some adaptions to the directive, notably: the distinguishing sign issuing the licence is encircled by an ellipse instead of being printed on the European flag, the words "driving licence" in Icelandic and Norwegian languages were added, and the words “European Communities model” were replaced by “EEA model”.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=https://www.efta.int/media/documents/legal-texts/eea/other-legal-documents/adopted-joint-committee-decisions/2008%20-%20English/029-2008.pdf |title=Decision of the EEA Joint Committee No 29/2008 of 14 March 2008 amending Annex&nbsp;XIII (Transport) to the EEA Agreement|date= |website=[[European Free Trade Association]] (EFTA)}}</ref>

====Switzerland====

Although Switzerland is a member state of [[EFTA]], it is not a contracting party of EEA&nbsp;Agreement. Switzerland is instead linked to the EU by a series of [[Switzerland–European Union relations|bilateral agreements]] and has generally adopted much of the harmonised EU&nbsp;legislation with regard to driving licences. Switzerland has used categories similar to the EU&nbsp;system of vehicle categories since the 2000s, and [[Driver's License#Switzerland|Swiss driving licences]] resemble EEA-style credit-card licences, comparable to other non-EU/EEA European countries.

====French Overseas Collectivities and Territories====

Likewise, French Overseas Collectivities and Territories are not in the EEA despite being part of the [[French Republic]]. However, with the exception of [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]] (which uses 'standard' French driving licences) and [[Wallis and Futuna]]&nbsp;(which is the last remaining French territory still issuing non-credit card sized licences), all Overseas Collectivities of France have followed EU harmonisation standards, as well as the 'EEA model'. As of May 2024, Saint Martin is the only French territory member of the EU to use a different format to the current 'standard' French format.

====Implementation====
The directive stipulated that (then) all 31&nbsp;EEA members states must have adopted laws implementing the directive no later than 19 January 2011. Those laws took effect in all EEA members states on 19 January 2013. All licences issued before that date will become invalid by 2033.

====Brexit====
Directive 2006/126/EC applied to the United Kingdom until the [[Brexit withdrawal agreement|transition period]] after the [[Brexit|UK withdrew from the EU]] terminated on 31 December 2020, as EU law continued to apply to the UK during this period.<ref name="Bennett">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/brexit-2020-transition-period/|title=How will the Brexit transition period work?|author=Asa Bennett|date=27 January 2020|newspaper=Telegraph|access-date=30 January 2020|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128044559/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/brexit-2020-transition-period/|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1 January 2021, European licences are recognized by the UK if the driving test was passed in an EU/EEA country, and can be used both if the holder is visiting or if residing in the UK. They can also be exchanged for a [[Driving licence in the United Kingdom|UK driving licence]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=You can drive any type of vehicle listed on your full and valid licence – Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence – GOV.UK|url=https://www.gov.uk/driving-nongb-licence/y/a-visitor-to-great-britain/european-union-or-european-economic-area|access-date=2021-03-13|website=www.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-11-25|title=Exchanging your foreign driving licence|url=https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/exchanging-your-foreign-driving-licence|access-date=2021-03-29|website=nidirect|language=en|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506195508/https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/exchanging-your-foreign-driving-licence|url-status=live}}</ref>

UK driving licences can be used when visiting EU/EEA countries with some exceptions.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Driving in the EU from 1 January 2021: UK licence holders living in the EU|url=https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu-from-1-january-2021-uk-licence-holders-living-in-the-eu|access-date=2020-01-30|website=GOV.UK|language=en|archive-date=30 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130175027/https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu-from-1-january-2021-uk-licence-holders-living-in-the-eu|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-12-27|title=Brexit: What are the rules on driving in the EU after transition?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47459859|access-date=2020-12-29|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717142239/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47459859|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Visit Europe from 1 January 2021|url=https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021|access-date=2020-12-29|website=GOV.UK|date=10 March 2020 |language=en|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230020922/https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021|url-status=live}}</ref> [[International Driving Permit]]s might be needed in some cases. Depending on which convention the country in question has ratified, a 1949 IDP ([[Geneva Convention on Road Traffic]]) might be required in some EEA&nbsp;countries, and a 1968 IDP ([[Vienna Convention on Road Traffic]]) in others. However, none of the EEA countries currently require IDPs for visitors staying shorter than 12&nbsp;months.<ref name="Driving after Brexit">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47459859|title=Brexit: What are the rules on driving in the EU?|work=BBC News|date=8 July 2021|access-date=22 June 2020|archive-date=20 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220181951/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-47459859|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Proposed changes===
On 1 March 2023, the European Commission released a proposal to modernise the legal framework surrounding driver training, examination, licences and cross-border enforcement of driving offences.<ref name= 2023licencechanges>{{cite press release|date=1 March 2023|title=Road safety: Commission proposes updated requirements for driving licences and better cross-border enforcement of road traffic rules |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_1145 |location=Brussels |publisher=European Commission|access-date=28 August 2023}}</ref>

Specifically regarding driving licences, the measures presented included:
*Creation of a European digital driving licence, valid throughout the EU,
*Digitalisation of all licence renewal, replacement and exchange procedures, and
*Lowering the minimum age for obtaining a driving licence for cars and lorries to 17 years old.

These proposals would have to be considered through the usual EU legislative procedure before coming into effect.<ref name= 2023licencechanges/>

== Digital (mobile) driving licences ==
In July 2019, Norway was the first EU/EEA country to issue a [[Mobile driver's license|mobile version]] of its driving licence using a proprietary app on a nationwide basis. This was preceded by limited trial in Finland from 2018-2020. Since then, mobile driving licences have been available in Austria, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Poland, Portugal and Spain. These digital/mobile driving licences all have proprietary implementations and are not valid outside their issuing country. This is due to change with the introduction of standardised European [[Mobile driver's license|digital driving licence]], as per the new 'Proposal for a Revision of the Directive on Driving Licences' on 1 March 2023, which would adhere to the ISO 18013-5 standard.

== Standard data field labelling ==
To help users of different languages to understand what each of the data fields on the licence contains, each is labelled with a number. A legend on the back of the card identifies each field in the issuing authority's language.<ref>Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on driving licences</ref>

# [[surname]]
# other names{{ref label|a|a|a}}
# date of birth, place of birth{{ref label|d|d|d}}{{ref label|c|c|c}}
# a) date of issue, b) date of expiry, c) issuing authority, d) different number from the one under heading&nbsp;5, for administrative purposes{{ref label|b|b|b}}
# licence number (Can Be Transferred){{ref label|c|c|c}}
# [[photograph]] of holder
# [[signature]] of holder
# [[address]] (Some EU Countries){{ref label|c|c|c}}
# licence categories
# first issuing date of the category (in a table, listed per category)
# expiry date of the category (in a table, listed per category)
# restrictions (number coded, in a table, listed per category, and once for information applying to all categories)
# space reserved for the possible entry by the host Member State of information essential for administering the licence
# space reserved for the possible entry by the Member State which issues the licence of information essential for administering the licence or related to road safety (optional).

The fields for "restrictions" (number 12) contain numeric codes which are used to convey additional information that goes beyond the licence categories. Codes 01-99 are valid EU-wide, while codes 100 and above are national codes valid only for driving in country that issued the licence.

Many countries use field 12 to extend or restrict the standard licence categories, for example placing additional restrictions on young drivers, or extending the categories for holders of old licences as a form of [[grandfather clause]]. One common entry in field 13 is 01.06, indicating that the driver must wear glasses or contact lenses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Denmark - DK6 - European Commission |url=https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/road-safety-member-states/driving-licence-member-states/driving-licence-models/denmark-dk6_en |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu |language=en|quote=National codes - 100 - The holder is only entitled to drive motorcycles without a side-car}}</ref><ref>{{cite EU law |title=Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on driving licences |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32006L0126 }}</ref>

===Notes===
:{{note label|a|a|a|Such as given names, local variations may occur.}}
:{{note label|b|b|b|4(d) is optional. In some countries the personal number is listed.}}
:{{note label|c|c|c|This is optional and not implemented by all countries}}
:{{note label|d|d|d|Norway<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vegvesen.no/_attachment/493459/binary/801365?fast_title=Nytt+førerkort+brosjyre+-+norsk_21062013.pdf|title=Nytt norsk førerkort : fra 19. januar 2013|website=Vegvesen.no|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref> and Sweden:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/TSFS/TSFS%202016_4.pdf|title=Föreskrifter om ändring i Transportstyrelsens föreskrifter (TSFS 2012:60) om körkortets utformning och innehåll|website=Transportstyrelsen.se|access-date=27 December 2018|archive-date=6 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906225507/https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/TSFS/TSFS%202016_4.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> a hyphen (-) is shown in lieu of place of birth.}}

=={{anchor|Categories}}Categories valid in all EEA member states ==
===Pre-2013===
[[File:EU driving licenses 202101.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|center|Pre-2013 categories of European driving licences
<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_403/l_40320061230en00180060.pdf |title=Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the council |work=Official Journal of the European Union |access-date=22 January 2013 |archive-date=11 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511212759/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/l_403/l_40320061230en00180060.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fuehrerausweise.ch/asa-seite1.cfm?CFID=1329368&CFTOKEN=dba0d9adbbb7e676-74F2B01B-07C2-475B-6A343D1A868F3125&lang=de&asahead=1&canton|title=asa-ausweise.ch|date=27 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827055159/http://www.fuehrerausweise.ch/asa-seite1.cfm?CFID=1329368&CFTOKEN=dba0d9adbbb7e676-74F2B01B-07C2-475B-6A343D1A868F3125&lang=de&asahead=1&canton|archive-date=27 August 2012}}</ref><br />]]

===Since 2013===
[[File:BMVI fahrerlaubnisklassen-piktogramme schwarz-transparent 2017 1444x824px.png|thumb|center|Categories of European driving licences per the EU directive 2006/126/EC<ref name="EU_directive_2006_126_EC_v2020Nov">{{cite Q|Q133288864}}</ref>]]
{{clear}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Class !! Description !! Age of acquisition !! Requires !! Includes !! Remarks
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Moped]]s
|-
| '''AM'''
| Two-wheel vehicles or three-wheel vehicles and four-wheel vehicles (quadricycles) with a maximum design speed of not more than {{convert|45|km/h}} and with a cylinder capacity not exceeding {{convert|50|cc}}.
| 16 years (''18 years in Denmark and Malta; 15&nbsp;years in Austria, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden; 14&nbsp;years in Estonia, Latvia, France, Italy, Poland, and Hungary'').
| |||| Until 19 January 2013 this class was a national class called "M" in Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, and Norway.
It is up to each member state to accept foreign licences with younger ages than the local minimum age of acquisition.
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Motorcycle]]s{{anchor|Motorcycles}}
|-
|'''A1'''
| Motorcycles with a cylinder capacity not exceeding {{convert|125|cc}} and a power not exceeding {{convert|11|kW}}; and motor tricycles with a power not exceeding {{convert|15|kW}}.
| 16 years. (18 years in Denmark, Greece, Belgium, and the Netherlands).
| || AM
| B licence holders in Czech Republic (only motorcycles with automatic and semi-automatic transmission), Italy, Latvia, Slovakia (after two years and only motorcycles with automatic transmission), Spain (after three years), Poland (after three years), Portugal (at least 25&nbsp;years old or additional licence for mopeds), and Belgium (after two years) are allowed to drive motorcycles not exceeding {{convert|125|cc}} within the respective countries. In Austria (after five years, training of 6&nbsp;hours), France (after two years, a training of 7&nbsp;hours), Germany (after 5&nbsp;years, training of 9x1,5 hours, addition of Code&nbsp;196, thus only German licences), Greece (after 6&nbsp;years, at least 27&nbsp;years old, training of 5&nbsp;hours, addition of Code&nbsp;121, thus only Greek licences), Luxembourg (after 2&nbsp;years, training of 7&nbsp;hours), and Malta (training of 10&nbsp;hours), a practical training without exam is needed for B&nbsp;licence holders.
|-
|'''A2'''
|Motorcycles of a power not exceeding {{convert|35|kW}} and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding {{convert|0.2|kW/kg}} and not derived from a vehicle of more than double its power.
| 18 years. (20 years in Denmark, Greece, Belgium, and the Netherlands). |||| A1, AM
| Replaced class "A" on 19 January 2013 in Malta.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transport.gov.mt/news/press-release-changes-to-the-minimum-ages-and-test-requirements-to-obtain-a-dri |title=Press Release: Changes to the Minimum Ages and Test Requirements to obtain a Driving Licence |work=Transport Malta |access-date=2 December 2014 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227124807/http://www.transport.gov.mt/news/press-release-changes-to-the-minimum-ages-and-test-requirements-to-obtain-a-dri |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| '''A'''
| Any motorcycle or motor tricycle not in category A1/A2
| 20 years. (22 years in Denmark, Greece, Belgium, and the Netherlands). However, access to the driving of motorcycles of this category shall be subject to a minimum of two years' experience on motorcycles under an A2&nbsp;licence. This requirement as to previous experience may be waived if the candidate is at least 24&nbsp;years old.
| || A2, A1, AM
| B licence holders who are at least 21&nbsp;years of age are allowed to drive motor tricycles (including three-wheeled motorcycles with a power exceeding {{convert|15|kW}} in the following countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Spain and Poland (after three years of B&nbsp;licence). In France and Italy, a practical training (at least 7&nbsp;hours) without an exam is needed for B&nbsp;licence holders who want to drive motor tricycles only, and this option is available only after at least two years of B&nbsp;licence. In the Netherlands it's allowed to drive from the age of at least&nbsp;18, and if you had your B&nbsp;licence before&nbsp;19 January 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/bijzondere-voertuigen/vraag-en-antwoord/wat-zijn-de-verkeersregels-voor-een-trike |title=Wanneer mag ik op een trike rijden? |author=Ministerie van Algemene Zaken |date=30 July 2012 |website=Rijksoverheid.nl}}</ref> Replaced class "A+" on 19 January 2013 in Malta.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.transport.gov.mt/news/press-release-changes-to-the-minimum-ages-and-test-requirements-to-obtain-a-dri |title=Press Release: Changes to the Minimum Ages and Test Requirements to obtain a Driving Licence |work=Transport Malta |access-date=2 December 2014 |archive-date=27 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227124807/http://www.transport.gov.mt/news/press-release-changes-to-the-minimum-ages-and-test-requirements-to-obtain-a-dri |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Motor vehicle]]s
|-
| '''B'''
| Motor vehicles with a [[Gross combination mass|maximum authorised mass]] (MAM) not exceeding {{convert|3500|kg}} and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed {{convert|750|kg}}. You can also tow heavier trailers if the total <abbr>MAM</abbr> of the vehicle and trailer isn't more than {{convert|3500|kg}}.
| 18 years (17 years in Ireland, France (since 2024) and Hungary)<ref name=NDLI>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndls.ie/about/licence-categories-and-codes.html%27#licence-categories|title=Licence Categories and Codes|website=www.ndls.ie|publisher= National Driving Licence Service |access-date=31 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sikkertrafik.dk/raad-og-viden/i-bil/koerekort-til-17-aarige|title=Kørekort til 17-årige (Ledsagerordningen)|website=Sikkertrafik.dk|access-date=10 January 2017|archive-date=2 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102082309/https://www.sikkertrafik.dk/raad-og-viden/i-bil/koerekort-til-17-aarige|url-status=live}}</ref>
17&nbsp;years in Germany,  and the Netherlands (under supervision, from age of 18 without supervision).

17 years in Greece with supervision (from someone which is at least 25 years old and has had a B licence for 5+ years<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-20 |title=Συνοδευόμενη οδήγηση - Εκδόθηκε η σχετική Υπουργική Απόφαση |url=https://www.eea.gr/arthra-eea/synodeyomeni-odigisi-ekdothike-i-schetiki-ypoyrgiki-apofasi/ |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=EEA |language=el}}</ref>)  and from the age of 18 without supervision (only if no accidents were caused while under supervision) <ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-11 |title=Νόμος 4850/2021 - ΦΕΚ 208/Α/5-11-2021 |url=https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/kat-aytokinita/nomos-4850-2021-phek-208a-5-11-2021.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230917100510/https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/kat-aytokinita/nomos-4850-2021-phek-208a-5-11-2021.html |archive-date=2023-09-17 |access-date=2023-09-17 |website=e-nomothesia}}</ref>

17 years in Austria after 3000&nbsp;km of driving under supervision.

16 years in Iceland (under supervision after 10 driving lessons, from age of 17 without supervision)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accompanied driving - Practice driving with a supervisor {{!}} Ísland.is |url=https://island.is/en/practice-driving-with-a-supervisior |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=island.is |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Driving studies {{!}} Ísland.is |url=https://island.is/en/drivers-license |access-date=2023-07-30 |website=island.is |language=en}}</ref>
| || AM (some countries)
| In some countries, holders of a B&nbsp;driver licence are also entitled (sometimes with special conditions) to ride motorcycles <= {{convert|125|cc}} and power <= {{convert|11|kW}} and ratio power/weight <= {{convert|0.1|kW/kg}}
|-
| '''BE'''
| Without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, a combination of vehicles consisting of a tractor vehicle in category B and any number of trailers or semi-trailer wheres the maximum authorised mass of the trailer(s) or semi-trailer(s) do not exceed {{convert|3500|kg}}.
| 18 years (17 years in Ireland)<ref name="NDLI"/> || B ||||
|-
| '''B1'''
| [[Motorised quadricycle|Heavy quadricycles]] || 16 years ||
| AM || This class is optional, i.e. it is not implemented by all countries.
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Large goods vehicle]]
|-
| '''C1'''
| Large goods vehicle with a maximum authorised mass of not more than {{convert|7.5|t}}; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than {{convert|750|kg}}.
| 18 years || B ||||
|-
| '''C1E'''
| Combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category&nbsp;C1 and its trailer(s) or semi-trailer(s) have a maximum authorised mass of over {{convert|750|kg}}, and the combined mass of the tractor vehicle and trailer(s) do not exceed {{convert|12000|kg}}.
| 18 years || C1 || BE ||
|-
| '''C'''
| [[Large goods vehicle]] with a [[Gross combination mass|maximum authorised mass]] of more than {{convert|3.5|t}} mass and not more than 8 + 1&nbsp;seats (lorry); with a trailer with a maximum mass of {{convert|750|kg}}.
| 21 years{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}}

18 years in Sweden, Finland and Ireland<ref name="NDLI"/>

18&nbsp;years in Germany for non-commercial use only except for apprenticeship as professional driver

18&nbsp;years in Belgium for professional drivers
| B for 1 year, not including restricted licence{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} || C1 ||
|-
| '''CE'''
| Other combinations of vehicles and trailers which with combined maximum authorised mass of more than {{convert|750|kg}}.
| 21 years (18 years in Belgium for professional drivers) || C || BE, C1E ||in the Netherlands, CE gives you automatically DE when already passed D.
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Bus]]es
|-
| '''D1'''
| Light buses with a maximum of 16 + 1&nbsp;seats, maximum length of {{convert|8|m}}.
| 21 years{{Citation needed|date=November 2011}} (18 years in Belgium for professional drivers) || B ||
| Motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than 16&nbsp;passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass not exceeding {{convert|750|kg}}.
|-
| '''D1E'''
| Combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category&nbsp;D1 and its trailer(s) or semi-trailer(s) have a maximum authorised mass of over {{convert|750|kg}}, and the combined mass of the tractor vehicle and trailer(s) do not exceed {{convert|12000|kg}}.
| 21 years (18 years in Belgium for professional drivers) || D1 ||||
|-
| '''D'''
| Vehicles with more than 8 + 1 seats (buses).
| 24 years (21 years in Ireland;<ref name="NDLI"/> 21 years in Belgium for professional drivers)
| B (C for 2 years in Bulgaria) || D1
| Motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; motor vehicles which may be driven with a category D licence may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed {{convert|750|kg}}. Includes articulated buses (at least in Germany).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_067672.pdf|title=INF30 – Requirements for towing trailers in Great Britain – GOV.UK|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024172219/http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/%40dg/%40en/%40motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_067672.pdf|archive-date=24 October 2013}}</ref>
|-
| '''DE'''
| Combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category&nbsp;D and its trailer has a maximum authorised mass of over {{convert|750|kg}}.
| 24 years (21 years in Ireland;<ref name="NDLI"/> 21&nbsp;years in Belgium for professional drivers) || D || D1E ||
|}

== National categories in EEA member states ==
There are other national categories for tractors, large motorcycles, motorised wheel boats, motor tricycles (modern [[voiturette]]s, Category B1 or&nbsp;S), and military categories such as for driving tanks. National categories mean they are not harmonised and only valid within the issuing country. The table below gives general descriptions that do not include full details of regulations.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Class !! Description !! Age <small>of acqui&shy;sition</small> !! Issued by !! Valid in !! class=unsortable | Remarks
|-
!colspan="6"| [[Moped]]s
|-
|'''LK'''
|Small moped ||15 ||Denmark ||Denmark ||
|-
!colspan="6"| [[Snowmobile]]s
|-
|'''S'''
|Snowmobile ||16 ||Norway
|
* Norway
* Sweden<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hva kan du kjøre med førerkort klasse S?|url=https://www.vegvesen.no/forerkort/har-forerkort/Hva+har+du+lov+a+kjore/Snoscooter+%28klasse+S%29|access-date=2021-03-10|website=Statens vegvesen|language=nb}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="6"| [[Motor vehicle]]s
|-
|'''BF17'''
|''Begleitetes Fahren'' (accompanied driving) || 17 ||Germany
|
* Austria<ref>{{cite web|title=Ist Begleitetes Fahren mit 17 im Ausland erlaubt?|url=http://www.focus.de/auto/ratgeber/auto-abc/verkehr-ist-begleitetes-fahren-mit-17-im-ausland-erlaubt_id_4007566.html|website=Focus.de|access-date=20 January 2015|archive-date=20 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120231612/http://www.focus.de/auto/ratgeber/auto-abc/verkehr-ist-begleitetes-fahren-mit-17-im-ausland-erlaubt_id_4007566.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=L17 – Allgemeines (SDG)|url=https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/dokumente_und_recht/fuehrerschein/1/2/Seite.0401101.html|access-date=2021-09-09|website=oesterreich.gv.at - Österreichs digitales Amt|language=de}}</ref>
* Germany
| BF17 licensed driver must be accompanied by B-licence holder age&nbsp;30+
|-
|'''L17'''
|L17-Lenkberechtigung ||17 ||Austria
|
* Austria
* Germany<ref name=":1" />
* Denmark<ref name=":1" />
* England<ref name=":1" />
* Northern Ireland<ref name=":1" />
|
|-
!colspan="6"| [[Bus]]es
|-
|'''T'''
|Trolleybus ||21 ||Lithuania ||Lithuania ||
|-
|-
|'''TR'''
|Trolleybus ||20 ||Hungary ||Hungary ||
|-
|'''TROL'''
|Trolleybus ||||Latvia ||Latvia ||
|-
|'''T<span style="font-variant:small-caps">тб</span>'''
|Trolleybus ||24 ||Bulgaria ||Bulgaria
|T<span style="font-variant:small-caps">тб</span> was phased out and incorporated into the D&nbsp;category in 2013. Trolleybus drivers are now required to possess a D&nbsp;licence and to complete additional training on a trolleybus. Entitlement to drive a trolleybus is specified on the driving licence by code&nbsp;103.
|-
!colspan="6"| [[Tram]]s
|-
|'''H'''
|Tram ||21 ||Croatia ||Croatia ||
|-
|'''TRAM'''
|Tram ||||Latvia ||Latvia ||
|-
|'''T<span style="font-variant:small-caps">тм</span>'''
|Tram ||24 ||Bulgaria ||Bulgaria ||
|-
|'''V'''
|Tram ||20 ||Hungary ||Hungary ||
|-
!colspan="6"| [[Tractor]]s
|-
|rowspan="3"| '''F'''
|rowspan="3"| Tractor || rowspan="3" | 16 ||Austria ||Austria ||
|-
|Croatia ||Croatia ||With or without trailer; included in class&nbsp;B
|-
|Slovenia ||Slovenia ||
|-
| rowspan="7" |'''T'''
| rowspan="7" |Tractor ||17 ||Czech Republic ||Czech Republic{{cn|date=March 2025}} ||
|-
| rowspan="5" |16 ||Germany ||Germany{{cn|date=March 2025}} ||
|-
|Hungary ||Hungary ||Maximum 2 trailers{{cn|date=March 2025}}
|-
|Netherlands ||Netherlands ||Included in class B if acquired before 1 July 2015. Included in C.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
|-
|Norway ||Norway ||Included in class BE{{cn|date=March 2025}}
|-
|Poland ||Poland ||Included in class BE{{cn|date=March 2025}}
|-
|15 ||Finland ||Finland ||Included in class A1, A2, A and B<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ajokortti-info.fi/en/basic-information-about-driving-licence/vehicles-i-am-allowed-drive | title=The vehicles I am allowed to drive | date=17 October 2023 }}</ref>
|-
|'''TM'''
|Tractor ||16 ||Denmark ||Denmark ||
|-
|'''T<span style="font-variant:small-caps">кт</span>'''
|Tractor ||16 ||Bulgaria ||Bulgaria ||
|-
|'''K'''
|Two-wheel tractor ||16 ||Hungary ||Hungary ||
|-
|'''L'''
|Tractor not exceeding 40&nbsp;km/h by design ||16 ||Germany ||Germany ||With trailer: max. 25&nbsp;km/h; included in class&nbsp;B
|-
!colspan="6"| [[Heavy equipment]]
|-
|'''G'''
|Agricultural vehicles ||16 ||Belgium ||Belgium
|Included in B, B+E, C1, C1+E, C, C+E (only for agricultural vehicles with the same maximum authorised mass as the vehicles one has a licence for)
|-
|'''G'''
|Heavy equipment ||16 ||Croatia ||Croatia ||Included in class B
|-
|'''W'''
|Work Vehicle ||16 ||Ireland ||Ireland ||Includes land tractors with or without a trailer
|}

==Overview of driving licences==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
|-
! Member state !! Front !! Reverse !! Validity !! Issuing authority !! Latest version
![[Mobile driver's license|Mobile driving licence]] 
|-
|{{flagicon|Austria}}<br />[[Driving licence in Austria|Austria]]
|[[File:A Licence 2013 Front.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:A Licence 2013 Back.jpg|180px]]
|15 years |||| 11 Feb 2014||Yes <ref>https://www.digitalaustria.gv.at/eng/services/eServices/e-driving-licence.html</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|Belgium|state}}<br />[[Driving licence in Belgium|Belgium]]
|[[File:Belgium driver's license 2019.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:Belgium driver's license 2019 (verso).jpg|180px]]
|10 years ||[[Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport]]
|27 Dec 2019
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Bulgaria}}<br />[[Driving licence in Bulgaria|Bulgaria]]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/BGR-FO-02002/image-291655.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/BGR-FO-02002/image-291656.html Link to image]
|
* 5 years for categories C1, C, CE, D1, D1E, D,&nbsp;DE
* 10 years for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B,&nbsp;B1
| || 19 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Croatia}}<br />[[Driving licence in Croatia|Croatia]]
|[[File:Croatian driving licence 2023 (recto).jpg|180px]]
|[[File:Croatian driving licence 2023 (verso).jpg|180px]]
|
* 5 years for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE,&nbsp;H
* 10 years for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, F,&nbsp;G
| || 2023
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Cyprus}}<br />[[Driving licence in Cyprus|Cyprus]]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/CYP-FO-03001/image-260871.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/CYP-FO-03001/image-260872.html Link to Image]
|
* 5 years for categories C, CΕ, D, DΕ, D1, D1Ε, H, Θ,&nbsp;Ζ
* 15 years for categories A, A1, A2, B, B1, BE, C1, C1Ε, ΣT,&nbsp;ΙΒ
| || 1 July 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Czechia}}<br />Czech Republic
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/CZE-FO-02003/image-219259.html Link to image]
| || || || 19 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Denmark}}<br />[[Driving licence in Denmark|Denmark]]
|[[File:KørekortFor.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:KørekortBag.jpg|180px]]
|15 years |||| 1 Sep 2017
|Yes, proprietary app, launched in Nov 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Driving Licence App |url=https://en.digst.dk/systems/driving-licence-app/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=en.digst.dk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jarrahi |first={{!}} Javad |date=2020-11-27 |title=Denmark introduces mobile driver's license in latest digital ID push {{!}} Biometric Update |url=https://www.biometricupdate.com/202011/denmark-introduces-mobile-drivers-license-in-latest-digital-id-push |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=www.biometricupdate.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Estonia}}<br />Estonia
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/EST-FO-02004/image-187396.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/EST-FO-02004/image-187397.html Link to image]
|
* 5 years for categories C,&nbsp;D
* 10 years for other categories
| || 19 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Finland}}<br />[[Driving licence in Finland|Finland]]
|[[File:Specimen for the European driving licence used in Finland since 2019, front side.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:Specimen for the European driving licence used in Finland since 2019, rear side.jpg|180px]]
|Depending on the licence category, valid for 2 to 15 years ||Traficom
|1 April 2019
|Terminated trial, proprietary app, from 2018-2020.<ref name="yle.fi">{{Cite web |date=2021-06-24 |title=Apple suunnittelee digitaalista ajokorttia – Suomessa mobiiliajokortti ehti jo olla käytössä |url=https://yle.fi/a/3-11992101 |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Yle Uutiset |language=fi}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Finland}} {{flagicon|Åland}} <br />[[Driving licence in Finland|''Åland'' (Finland)]]
|[https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/road-safety-member-states/driving-licence-member-states/driving-licence-models/finland-fin10a-aland_en Link to image]
|[https://road-safety.transport.ec.europa.eu/road-safety-member-states/driving-licence-member-states/driving-licence-models/finland-fin10a-aland_en Link to image]
|Depending on the licence category, valid for 2 to 15 years ||Åland Provincial Government
|1 April 2019
|Terminated trial, proprietary app, from 2018-2020.<ref name="yle.fi"/>
|-
|{{flagicon|France}}<br />[[Driving licence in France|France]]
|{{CSS image crop|Image=French driving license 2013.png|bSize=180|cWidth=180|cHeight=119|oTop=0|oLeft=0}}
|{{CSS image crop|Image=French driving license 2013.png|bSize=180|cWidth=180|cHeight=119|oTop=115|oLeft=0}}
|
* 1–5 years (depending on age for the required medical checkup<ref>{{Cite web |title=Permis de conduire professionnel : contrôle médical obligatoire |url=https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1255 |access-date=2023-04-06 |website=www.service-public.fr |language=Fr}}</ref>) for categories C1, C, C1E, CE, D1, D, D1E, DE and for some professional use of category A,&nbsp;B
* 15 years for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B,&nbsp;BE
|[[Prefectures in France|Prefecture]] via the ANTS
|1 July 2015
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Saint Martin}} <br />[[Driving licence in France|''Collectivity of Saint Martin'' (France)]]
|<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sxminfo.fr/97576/30/03/2015/saint-martin-tout-savoir-sur-le-nouveau-permis-de-conduire/ | title=Saint-Martin - Tout savoir sur le nouveau permis de conduire | date=31 March 2015 }}</ref>
|
|
|[[Collectivity of Saint Martin]]
|March 2015
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Germany}}<br />[[Driving licence in Germany|Germany]]
|[[File:DE Licence 2013 Front.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:DE Licence 2013 Back.jpg|180px]]
|15 years<ref>{{Cite web |title=§ 24a Gültigkeit von Führerscheinen - Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung (FeV) |trans-title=§ 24a Validity of driving licenses - Driving License Ordinance (FeV) |url=https://www.buzer.de/24a_FeV.htm |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=buzer.de |language=de}}</ref>||Local driving license authority|| 4 Jan 2021
|Yes, proprietary app, launched in 2022. Supplementary to the physical driver's license without legal validity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital driving licence for the smartphone: Now available in the Verimi ID Wallet |url=https://verimi.de/en/presspost/digital-drivers-license-for-the-smartphone-the-verimi-id-wallet-now-makes-it-possible/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Verimi |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=§ 2 Fahrerlaubnis und Führerschein - Straßenverkehrsgesetz (StVG) |trans-title=§ 2 Driving license and driving license - Road Traffic Act (StVG) |url=https://www.buzer.de/2_StVG.htm |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=buzer.de |language=de}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Greece}}<br />[[Driving licence in Greece|Greece]]
|[[File:SPECIMEN Greece drivers license 2019 edition.jpg|180px]]
| 
|
For Category B and other non-professional categories:
* 15 years up to age 65
* 3 years from age 65 up to age 80
* 2 years above age 80
For professional categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE (With medical checkup):
* 5 years up to age 65
* 3 years from age 65 up to age 80
* 2 years above age 80<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ισχύς της άδειας οδήγησης |url=https://www.gov.gr/sdg/vehicles/acquiring-and-renewing-driving-licence/driving-license-recognition-and-validity/driving-license-validity. |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=govgr |language=el}}</ref>
|[[Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Greece)]]
|4 July 2023
|Yes, proprietary app launched in July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borak |first={{!}} Masha |date=2023-09-25 |title=Greece starts issuing new ID cards as conspiracy theories spread {{!}} Biometric Update |url=https://www.biometricupdate.com/202309/greece-starts-issuing-new-id-cards-as-conspiracy-theories-spread |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=www.biometricupdate.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Macdonald |first={{!}} Ayang |date=2022-01-04 |title=Greece to introduce full mobile version of digital ID, driving licenses {{!}} Biometric Update |url=https://www.biometricupdate.com/202201/greece-to-introduce-full-mobile-version-of-digital-id-driving-licenses |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=www.biometricupdate.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Hungary}}<br />Hungary
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/HUN-FO-04001/image-189773.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/HUN-FO-04001/image-189774.html Link to image]
|
* 10 years until age 50
* 5 years at age 50&nbsp;60
* 3 years at age 60&nbsp;70
* 2 years above age 70
| ||19 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Iceland}}<br />[[Driving licence in Iceland|Iceland]]
|[[File:Icelandic driving licence - 2013 - Front.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:Icelandic driving licence - 2013 - Back.jpg|180px]]
|
* 3 years (first licence)
* 15 years until age 70
* 4 years at age 70
* 3 years at age 71
* 2 years at age 72–79
* 1 year above age 80
|[[Sýslumaður|Sheriffs]], on behalf of the [[Icelandic Transport Authority]]
|3 June 2013
|Yes, using proprietary [[PKPASS|.pkpass]] implementation, launched in July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digital Driver's License {{!}} Ísland.is |url=https://island.is/en/digital-drivers-license |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=island.is |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Alfarið hægt að skilja veskið eftir heima |url=https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2020/07/01/alfarid_haegt_ad_skilja_veskid_eftir_heima/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=www.mbl.is |language=is}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Ireland}}<br />[[Driving licence in the Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/IRL-FO-04002/image-347183.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/IRL-FO-04002/image-347184.html Link to image]
|10 years ||[[Road Safety Authority]]
|28 Feb 2017
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Italy}}<br />[[Driving licence in Italy|Italy]]
|[[File:IT licence (front).jpg|180px]]
|[[File:IT licence (back).jpg|180px]]
|
* Category AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE driving licences are valid for ten years
* 5 years : When issued or renewed for holders aged between 50 and 69
* 3 years : For holders aged over 70
|[[Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Italy)|Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport]]
|19 Jan 2013
|Yes, proprietary app<ref>{{Cite web |title=IT-Wallet: tre documenti digitali su app IO per i primi 50.000 cittadini |url=https://innovazione.gov.it/notizie/articoli/it-wallet-tre-documenti-digitali-su-app-io-per-i-primi-50-000-cittadini/ |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=Dipartimento per la trasformazione digitale |language=it}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Latvia}}<br />Latvia
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/LVA-FO-01003/image-198268.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/LVA-FO-01003/image-198269.html Link to image]
|
* 5 years for categories C1, C1E, D1, D1E, C, CE, D, DE
* 10 years for other categories
| Road Safety Directorate|| 2 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Liechtenstein}}<br />Liechten&shy;stein
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/LIE-FO-03001/image-159565.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/LIE-FO-03001/image-159577.html Link to image]
| || ||1 April 2019
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Lithuania}}<br />Lithuania
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/LTU-FO-04001/image-270109.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/LTU-FO-04002/image-355144.html Link to image]
|10 years ||||30 July 2021
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Luxembourg}}<br />Luxem&shy;bourg
|[[File:Luxembourg, permis de conduire CE (recto).jpg|180px]]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/LUX-FO-01010/image-190579.html Link to image]
| |||| 19 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Malta}}<br />Malta
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/MLT-FO-03001/image-53049.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/MLT-FO-03001/image-53050.html Link to image]
| |||| 19 Dec 2003
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}}<br />[[Driving licence in the Netherlands|Nether&shy;lands]]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/NLD-FO-06001/image-279507.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/NLD-FO-06001/image-279508.html Link to image]
|
* 10 years until age 65
* Until age 75 if renewed between age 65–70
* 5 years at age 71
|[[RDW (organization)|RDW]]|| 14 Nov 2014
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Norway}}<br />[[Driving licence in Norway|Norway]]
|[[File:Norway driving licence front (2022).png|180px]]
|[[File:Norway driving licence back (2022).png|180px]]
|15 years ||[[Norwegian Public Roads Administration]]
|1 March 2023
|Yes, proprietary app, launched in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digitalt førerkort |url=https://www.vegvesen.no/forerkort/har-forerkort/digitalt-forerkort/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Statens vegvesen |language=nb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nina |date=2019-10-01 |title=Digital driver's license crashes |url=https://www.newsinenglish.no/2019/10/01/digital-drivers-license-crashes/ |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=Norway's News in English — www.newsinenglish.no |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Poland}}<br />[[Driving licence in Poland|Poland]]
|[[File:Driving licence Poland 2013 recto.png|180px]]
|[[File:Driving licence Poland 2013 verso.png|180px]]
|15 years ||[[Starosta]] or [[City with powiat rights|prezydent miasta]] (city mayor)||4 March 2019
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Portugal}}<br />Portugal
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/PRT-FO-06001/image-209464.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/PRT-FO-06001/image-209473.html Link to image]
| || Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT)
|2 Jan 2013
|
|-
| {{flagicon|Romania}}<br />[[Driving licence in Romania|Romania]]
|[[File:RO licence front.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:RO licence back.jpg|180px]]
|
* 5 years for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE, (Tb), (Tv),&nbsp;(Tr)
* 10 years categories AM, A1, A, B, B1, B,&nbsp;BE
| || 19 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Slovakia}}<br />Slovakia
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/SVK-FO-04001/image-319830.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/SVK-FO-04001/image-319831.html Link to image]
| |||| 15 Sep 2015
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Slovenia}}<br />Slovenia
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/SVN-FO-04001/image-266220.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/SVN-FO-04001/image-266221.html Link to image]
| || ||19 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Spain}}<br />[[Driving licence in Spain|Spain]]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/ESP-FO-04002/image-260756.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/ESP-FO-04002/image-260757.html Link to image]
|
* 10 years until the age of 65
* 5 years over the age of 65
|[[Directorate-General for Traffic]]
|19 Jan 2013
|
|-
|{{flagicon|Sweden}}<br />[[Driving licence in Sweden|Sweden]]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/SWE-FO-07001/image-267078.html Link to image]
|[https://www.consilium.europa.eu/prado/en/SWE-FO-07001/image-267079.html Link to image]
|
* 10 years
* 5 years for C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D,&nbsp;DE
|[[Swedish Transport Agency]]
|21 Jan 2016
|
|}

== See also ==
* [[Driver's license|Driving licence]]
* [[European Commissioner for Transport]]
* [[European Health Insurance Card]]
* [[National identity cards in the European Economic Area and Switzerland]]
* [[Passports of the European Union]]
* [[International Driving Permit]]
* [[European vehicle registration plate]]
* [[Prawo Jazdy (alleged criminal)]] - supposed Polish national with numerous traffic violations in Ireland, construed from misreading the Polish driver's licence

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{cite web|url=https://workpermit.com/news/eu-announces-plans-european-driving-license-20061218|title=EU announces plans for European driving license|date=18 December 2006|website=Workpermit.com|access-date=27 December 2018}}
*{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6180617.stm|title=EU driving licence coming in 2013|date=14 December 2006|access-date=27 December 2018|website=News.bbc.co.uk}}
*{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/vehicles-can-drive|title=Vehicles you can drive|website=Gov.uk|access-date=27 December 2018}}

{{European Union topics}}
{{Traffic law}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:European Driving Licence}}
[[Category:Driving licences]]
[[Category:European Union transport policy]]
[[Category:European Union transport law]]
[[Category:Identity documents]]
[[Category:Traffic law]]