The EU is updating its driving rules: what will change for older drivers and what are the medical examination requirements

New rules for older drivers will soon come into force in the European Union. Find out how medical examination requirements and driver's license validity periods will change and how this will affect Ukrainians traveling by car in Europe

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New rules will soon come into force in European Union countries, affecting all drivers, but especially older people. According to the updates, the EU will raise the age limit for revoking driving licenses from 50 to 65. This means that elderly drivers will be able to use their licenses for longer, but they will have to regularly confirm their fitness to drive.

According to inpoland.net.pl, elderly drivers will undergo mandatory medical examinations every five years to retain their right to drive. Previously, some EU countries had stricter or automatic restrictions for people of a certain age, but the new directive aims to avoid age discrimination.

The goal of the reforms: safe roads without discrimination

The main goal of the changes is to improve road safety. The European Union has set an ambitious goal: to completely eliminate fatal accidents by 2050.

Under the new rules, people over the age of 65 will have to undergo a medical examination every five years. However, even if a doctor determines that a driver's health requires additional attention, this will not automatically result in the loss of their license.

Member states have been given the right to decide for themselves how to apply these requirements. Each country can shorten the validity period of a license, introduce more frequent medical examinations, require medical self-assessments, or even conduct refresher courses for elderly drivers.

How long will a driver's license be valid in the EU?

The updated rules also clarify the validity periods of driver's licenses in European Union countries:

● For passenger cars: the license will be valid for 10 or 15 years, depending on the country.

● For trucks and buses: the validity period will be 5 years, which is due to higher requirements for professional drivers and passenger safety.

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What Ukrainians traveling in Europe should know

For Ukrainians traveling through Europe by car, the new rules mean that local requirements for driver's licenses and medical examinations may only apply if they obtain a local license or reside in an EU country for a long period of time. Tourists or temporary visitors are not affected by these restrictions — Ukrainian driver's licenses are recognized in most European countries.

However, when traveling in Europe, it is important to take care not only of your documents but also of compulsory car insurance. To travel abroad, Ukrainian drivers need a Green Card — an international insurance policy that covers damages in the event of an accident outside Ukraine.

You can get a Green Card online quickly and without queues on the Visit Ukraine platform, which compares offers from different insurance companies. This is not only a legal requirement, but also a way to protect yourself from unexpected expenses while traveling.

We remind you! Fines in Poland can be a serious problem for Ukrainians if they do not know how to check and pay them. Read about online and offline ways to check, the consequences of non-payment, and the possibilities for appealing fines in 2025.

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