European Parliament Adopts New Driving Permit Reform with Mandatory Medical Assessments
The European Parliament has passed a reform requiring medical fitness checks for drivers, especially those over 65, aiming to reduce road fatalities in the EU.
- • European Parliament adopts driving permit reform with mandatory medical assessments.
- • Reform targets reduced road fatalities: halve deaths by 2030, zero by 2050.
- • Permits valid 15 years; more frequent checks for drivers over 65.
- • Advocates call for France to implement mandatory medical checks.
- • EU states have three years to enact and one year to implement the new rules.
Key details
On October 25, 2025, the European Parliament approved significant reforms to driving permits aimed at enhancing road safety across the EU. This legislation mandates medical fitness assessments for drivers, particularly focusing on those aged 65 and over, as part of a broader initiative to halve road deaths by 2030 and achieve zero fatalities by 2050. Currently, about 20,000 deaths occur annually from road traffic accidents in the EU.
The new driving permits will be valid for 15 years, with medical evaluations required upon first issuance and renewal. However, EU member states are allowed to opt for driver self-assessment forms in place of medical exams. France, represented by advocacy groups such as Sauver des vies, c’est permis, is urged to implement mandatory medical tests, citing 22 reported accidents linked to driver incapacity since early September. Pauline Déroulède, a Paralympic champion and road safety advocate, hailed the vote as a "first victory," emphasizing plans to advance bipartisan legislation that mandates medical certificates every 15 years until age 70, then every five years thereafter.
Member states have up to three years to incorporate these requirements into national laws, with an additional year for full implementation. This reform reflects the EU’s commitment to improving driver safety and reducing fatalities, aligning with long-term public health and transport policy goals.