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New EU driving licence rules: when the digital licence, driving at 17 and the 4.25-tonne limit apply

Directive (EU) 2025/2205 replaces the 2006 driving licence directive, and a second directive makes driving bans apply across the EU. Both entered into force on 25 November 2025, but drivers will meet the changes in stages. Heavier alternative-fuel vehicles on a car licence come from 26 November 2027, accompanied driving at 17 from 26 November 2028, and the rest from 26 November 2029. Every physical licence in circulation must meet the new rules by 19 January 2033.

DevelopingBy Last changed Verified · Confidence: highVersion 2 · See all changesTravel and borders · EU driving licence · Digital driving licence · Accompanied driving · Driving bans · Driving in Europe

A driver's hands on a car steering wheel, seen from inside the car, with the speedometer below and a blurred street through the windscreenIllustration
A driver's hands on a steering wheel, used to illustrate the EU driving licence rules. Illustration, not a photo/footage of the event. Credit: Storyblocks.
Current rule

The new rules entered into force on 25 November 2025. The next deadline is 26 November 2026, for the Commission's technical rules on mobile licences.

Last changed:

Which new licence rules apply to you, and when

The rules, in date order
RuleOn that date

A mobile licence in the EU Digital Identity Wallet becomes the default format 54 months after the Commission adopts its first technical rules for it, so that date is not fixed yet; the Commission's implementation strategy expects around the last quarter of 2030. You can still ask for a plastic card. These are the dates the directives set as EU minimums; your country's own law brings the rules in and may differ in detail. Dates from Directives (EU) 2025/2205 and 2025/2206 cited on this page; values from version 2 of this record, last verified 10 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.

Which EU countries have changed their law

2 of 27 countries have notified a measure for Directive (EU) 2025/2205 (driving licences); 0 of 27 countries have notified a measure for Directive (EU) 2025/2206 (driving bans across the EU). Checked 10 October 2026.

Deadlines set by the directives
WhatLaw byApplies from
Car licence covering alternatively fuelled vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes (Article 9(2)(j) and (k))26 November 202726 November 2027
Accompanied driving at 17 (Article 17)26 November 202826 November 2028
The rest of the directive26 November 202826 November 2029
Recognition of driving bans across the EU26 November 202826 November 2029
National measures notified to the European Commission
CountryLicences (2025/2205)Driving bans (2025/2206)
AustriaNone yetNone yet
Belgium
Notified 6 July 2026, in force 26 November 2027

Koninklijk besluit tot wijziging van het koninklijk besluit van 23 maart 1998 betreffende het rijbewijs en van het koninklijk besluit van 16 april 2023 betreffende het rijbewijs vereist voor door waterstof of met een elektrische motor aangedreven bestelwagens

Moniteur Belge, 24 June 2026. CELEX 72025L2205BEL_202605148

None yet
BulgariaNone yetNone yet
CroatiaNone yetNone yet
CyprusNone yetNone yet
CzechiaNone yetNone yet
DenmarkNone yetNone yet
EstoniaNone yetNone yet
Finland
Notified 28 May 2026

Ajokorttilaki / Körkortslag (386/2011) 29.4.2011, viimeksi muutettuna / ändrad senast genom (349/2026) 8.5.2026

Suomen säädöskokoelma (SK). CELEX 72025L2205FIN_202603310

None yet
FranceNone yetNone yet
GermanyNone yetNone yet
GreeceNone yetNone yet
HungaryNone yetNone yet
IrelandNone yetNone yet
ItalyNone yetNone yet
LatviaNone yetNone yet
LithuaniaNone yetNone yet
LuxembourgNone yetNone yet
MaltaNone yetNone yet
NetherlandsNone yetNone yet
PolandNone yetNone yet
PortugalNone yetNone yet
RomaniaNone yetNone yet
SlovakiaNone yetNone yet
SloveniaNone yetNone yet
SpainNone yetNone yet
SwedenNone yetNone yet
The Commission's implementing acts
ActPlanned
Mobile driving licences (Article 5(7))Q3 2026
EU driving licence network (Article 22(5))Q4 2026
QR codes in physical licences (Article 4(6))Q3 2027

No implementing act based on either directive is in the EU publications database yet (checked 10 October 2026).

The country list is read daily from the EU Publications Office's public database of national transposition measures, the same data as EUR-Lex's lists for 2025/2205 and 2025/2206. A notified measure may cover only part of a directive, and titles are in the country's own language. Deadlines and the planned timetable are from the directives and the Commission's implementation strategy cited on this page, version 2 of this record, last verified 10 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.

Latest update

This version adds three details from the law: an old German licence loses its validity after its exchange deadline, Germany's accompanied-driving certificate counts only within Germany, and EU licences for drivers at 17 will carry code 98.02.

What changed in this version

Version 2, : Adds what happens to old German licences after their exchange deadline, where Germany's accompanied-driving certificate is valid, and the new EU code 98.02 for drivers at 17.

Key facts

  • Both directives entered into force on 25 November 2025. Most of the new rules do not apply to drivers until national laws take them over. [6] [3]
  • From 26 November 2028, every EU country must issue car licences to 17-year-olds for accompanied driving. Until 18, they may drive only with a companion aged at least 24 who has held a licence for more than five years. [3]
  • The rest of the rules apply from 26 November 2029, the day the 2006 driving licence directive is repealed. The EU-wide recognition of driving bans applies from the same day. [3] [5]
Bar chart of when each part of the new EU driving licence rules applies, starting from entry into force on 25 November 2025. Mobile licence technical rules due 26 November 2026. Car licence held two years covers alternatively fuelled vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes from 26 November 2027. Accompanied driving from 17 in every EU country from 26 November 2028. National laws due 26 November 2028. Everything else, including EU-wide driving bans, from 26 November 2029. All physical licences must comply by 19 January 2033.
Graphic by Stories of Record, from the sources below. When each part of Directives (EU) 2025/2205 and 2025/2206 reaches drivers. Compiled by Stories of Record from the Official Journal text. Credit: Stories of Record (all rights reserved).
Two cards setting out the conditions of two new EU driving licence rules. Heavier alternative-fuel vehicles, from 26 November 2027: a category B car licence held for 2 years covers vehicles powered wholly or partly by alternative fuels above 3 500 kg and up to 4 250 kg, including emergency vehicles; with a trailer the whole combination may weigh up to 5 000 kg if the Directive's training or test condition is met; motor caravans are excluded (Art. 9(2)(j), Art. 29(2)). Accompanied driving at 17, from 26 November 2028: every EU country issues car licences at 17; until 18 the driver may drive only with a companion in the front passenger seat who is at least 24, has held a licence for more than 5 years and has had no driving ban in the issuing country in the last 5 years (Art. 17, Art. 29(3)).
Graphic by Stories of Record, from the sources below. Conditions for heavier alternative-fuel vehicles and accompanied driving at 17, summarised by Stories of Record from Directive (EU) 2025/2205. Not legal advice; national rules may add detail. Credit: Stories of Record (all rights reserved).
Two tables. Left: accompanied driving at 17, the companion. EU minimum: age 24, licence held more than 5 years, no ban in the last 5 years. Germany today under section 48a of the Driving Licence Regulation (BF17): age 30, licence held at least 5 years, at most 1 point when the licence is applied for. Right: Germany's deadlines to swap licences issued from 1999, by year of issue: 1999 to 2001 by 19 January 2026 (passed), 2002 to 2004 by 19 January 2027, 2005 to 2007 by 19 January 2028, 2008 by 2029, 2009 by 2030, 2010 by 2031, 2011 by 2032, 2012 to 18 January 2013 by 19 January 2033. Paper licences issued up to 1998: deadlines for holders born 1953 or later passed between 2022 and 2025; holders born before 1953 have until 19 January 2033.
Graphic by Stories of Record, from the sources below. Germany's accompanied-driving companion rules next to the EU minimum, and Germany's licence exchange deadlines, by Stories of Record from the Official Journal and the German Driving Licence Regulation. Not legal advice. Credit: Stories of Record (all rights reserved).

Record history (timeline)

  1. Belgium has notified a national measure for the directive: a royal decree on the driving licence needed for hydrogen or electric vans, published in the Moniteur Belge on 24 June 2026, notified to the Commission in July 2026 and applying from 26 November 2027, according to the EU Publications Office's record of national transposition measures. [8]
  2. The Commission published a draft of the implementing regulation on mobile driving licences on 15 June 2026. When this record was checked, the EU Publications Office still listed it as a draft that is not the Commission's final position, with no adopted act number. [11]
  3. Finland has notified its Driving Licence Act (386/2011) as last amended by Act 349/2026, notified on 28 May 2026, according to the same EU record. [8]
  4. Both directives entered into force on 25 November 2025. Most of the new rules do not apply to drivers until national laws take them over. [6] [3]
  5. Directive (EU) 2025/2205 on driving licences and Directive (EU) 2025/2206 on driving disqualifications are both dated 22 October 2025 and were published in the Official Journal in November 2025. [3] [5]
  6. The Council adopted its first-reading position in September 2025, and Parliament gave final approval in October 2025. [3]
  7. Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on the new rules in March 2025, which the Commission welcomed. [4]
  8. The European Parliament adopted its first-reading position in February 2024. [3]
  9. The European Commission proposed new driving licence rules in March 2023, including a digital licence valid across the EU and online replacement, renewal and exchange. [2]
  10. Every driving licence issued in the EU since 19 January 2013 uses the same credit-card-sized plastic format. [1]

View full history

What is confirmed

  • Every driving licence issued in the EU since 19 January 2013 uses the same credit-card-sized plastic format. [1]
  • The European Commission proposed new driving licence rules in March 2023, including a digital licence valid across the EU and online replacement, renewal and exchange. [2]
  • The European Parliament adopted its first-reading position in February 2024. [3]
  • Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on the new rules in March 2025, which the Commission welcomed. [4]
  • The Council adopted its first-reading position in September 2025, and Parliament gave final approval in October 2025. [3]
  • Directive (EU) 2025/2205 on driving licences and Directive (EU) 2025/2206 on driving disqualifications are both dated 22 October 2025 and were published in the Official Journal in November 2025. [3] [5]
  • The Commission must adopt the technical rules for mobile driving licences, covering their look, security and data, by 26 November 2026. [3]
  • A mobile licence in the EU Digital Identity Wallet becomes the default format 54 months after the first of those technical rules is adopted. You can still ask for a plastic card. [3] [6]
  • From 26 November 2027, a car (category B) licence held for two years also covers alternatively fuelled vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes, instead of the usual 3.5 tonnes. Motor caravans are excluded from this rule. [3] [6]
  • EU countries must pass their national laws for the rest of both directives by 26 November 2028. [3] [5]
  • Every physical licence issued or still in circulation must meet the new rules by 19 January 2033. [3]
  • New drivers will have a probationary period of at least two years, with stricter rules or penalties for drink-driving than other drivers. [3]
  • A car or motorcycle licence will be valid for 15 years, or 10 years where it also serves as an identity document. Lorry and bus licences are valid for five years. Countries may shorten validity for drivers aged 65 or over. [3]
  • At minimum, drivers will fill in a self-assessment of their fitness to drive when a licence is issued and at each renewal, unless their country uses another assessment system. [6]
  • A driving ban imposed in one EU country for a serious offence, such as speeding 50 km/h over the limit or drink- or drug-driving, will apply across the EU. [6]
  • Licences that an EU country issued in exchange for a non-EU licence carry code 70 and other EU countries do not have to recognise them. The new rules allow EU-wide recognition for exchanges from non-EU countries the Commission and EU countries approve one by one. [6]
  • If the country you live in does not offer translation or interpretation in your EU language, you may take your first car licence in your country of citizenship instead. [6]
  • The Commission's implementation strategy for the two directives, dated July 2026, predicts the mobile licence will become the default format around the last quarter of 2030. It says the date could come earlier under a review clause. [7]
  • The companion for accompanied driving must also not have had a driving ban in the country that issued their licence within the last five years. [3]
  • Where the Directive's training or test condition is met, such an alternative-fuel vehicle may tow a trailer if the whole combination stays within 5 000 kg. [3]
  • A category BE licence held for two years will also cover a combination of an alternative-fuel towing vehicle above 3 500 kg and up to 4 250 kg with a light trailer (categories O1 or O2). [3]
  • Under the driving disqualifications directive, a ban imposed in another EU country is passed to the country that issued the licence only if it is final with no appeal left, lasts at least three months, has more than one month left to run, and the person was identified as the driver. [5]
  • Belgium has notified a national measure for the directive: a royal decree on the driving licence needed for hydrogen or electric vans, published in the Moniteur Belge on 24 June 2026, notified to the Commission in July 2026 and applying from 26 November 2027, according to the EU Publications Office's record of national transposition measures. [8]
  • Finland has notified its Driving Licence Act (386/2011) as last amended by Act 349/2026, notified on 28 May 2026, according to the same EU record. [8]
  • When this source was checked, the EU Publications Office's record listed no national measures for the directive from any other EU country. The record can lag behind national publication. [8]
  • The Commission's implementation strategy planned the implementing act on mobile driving licences for the third quarter of 2026, the act on the EU driving licence network for the fourth quarter of 2026, and the act on QR codes in physical licences for the third quarter of 2027. [7]
  • Germany already runs its own accompanied-driving scheme: a B or BE licence issued under it carries the condition that the holder may drive only with at least one named companion, and the condition ends when the holder reaches the normal minimum age. [9]
  • Germany's accompanied-driving rules for the companion are stricter than the EU minimum: the companion must be at least 30, must have held a car licence for at least five years, and may have no more than one point in the driving aptitude register when the licence is applied for. [9]
  • Under the German rules the companion also may not accompany with 0,5 per mille or more alcohol in the blood, 3,5 ng/ml or more THC in blood serum, or under the effect of listed drugs. [9]
  • In Germany, licences issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged on a fixed timetable. For licences issued up to the end of 1998 it depends on the holder's birth year: born 1953 to 1958 by 19 July 2022, 1959 to 1964 by 19 January 2023, 1965 to 1970 by 19 January 2024, 1971 or later by 19 January 2025, and before 1953 by 19 January 2033. [10]
  • For German licences issued from 1999 it depends on the year of issue: 1999 to 2001 by 19 January 2026, 2002 to 2004 by 19 January 2027, 2005 to 2007 by 19 January 2028, then one year at a time up to 2012 and early 2013 by 19 January 2033. Holders born before 1953 have until 19 January 2033 whatever the year of issue. [10]
  • The Commission published a draft of the implementing regulation on mobile driving licences on 15 June 2026. When this record was checked, the EU Publications Office still listed it as a draft that is not the Commission's final position, with no adopted act number. [11]
  • Under German law, a licence issued before 19 January 2013 must be exchanged by the date in that timetable, and after the deadline the licence document loses its validity. German licence cards issued since 19 January 2013 are valid for 15 years. [12]
  • Germany's accompanied-driving certificate serves as proof of the licence only within Germany, until three months after the holder turns 18. [9]
  • Under the new EU rules, licences for accompanied driving at 17 carry Union code 98.02, meaning the holder must follow the scheme's conditions until 18. EU countries may add conditions of their own and must tell the Commission, which publishes them. [3]

What remains unconfirmed

No open questions are being tracked.

Why it matters

Anyone learning to drive, renewing a licence, moving between EU countries or swapping a non-EU licence is affected. The headlines say the rules are in force, but most changes do not reach drivers until 2027 to 2029. The 2006 directive stays in force until 26 November 2029.

What happens next?

  • : Deadline for the Commission's technical rules on mobile driving licences. By the same date, or straight after the first of those rules, the Commission must assess whether the mobile licence can become the default format sooner. [3] [7]
  • : Category B licences held for two years cover alternatively fuelled vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes. [3] [6]
  • : Accompanied driving from 17 must be available in every EU country; national laws for both directives are due. [3]
  • : The rest of the new rules, including EU-wide driving bans, apply and the 2006 directive is repealed. [3]
  • : All physical licences in circulation must meet the new rules. [3]
  • : Germany: card licences issued from 2002 to 2004 must be exchanged for the current format by this date. [10]

Questions

Can I use a digital driving licence on my phone now?

Not yet in a form valid across the EU. The Commission must adopt the technical rules for mobile licences by 26 November 2026; it published a draft on 15 June 2026, which was still a draft when this record was checked. The mobile licence becomes the default format 54 months after the first of those rules is adopted, which the Commission currently expects around the last quarter of 2030. You can still ask for a plastic card.

When can 17-year-olds drive in every EU country?

From 26 November 2028, every EU country must issue car licences at 17 for accompanied driving. Until 18, the driver needs a companion aged at least 24 who has held a licence for more than five years.

Will Germany's accompanied driving at 17 (BF17) change?

Germany already lets 17-year-olds drive with a named companion. Its rules are stricter than the EU minimum: the companion must be at least 30, not 24, and may have no more than one point in the register. The EU rules set minimum conditions; how Germany adapts its scheme depends on its national law, due by 26 November 2028.

Do I need to replace my current licence?

All physical licences issued or in circulation must meet the new rules by 19 January 2033. Germany already has its own exchange timetable for licences issued before 19 January 2013: card licences issued from 2002 to 2004 must be exchanged by 19 January 2027, and the last ones by 19 January 2033.

How long will a new car licence be valid?

15 years, or 10 years where it also serves as an identity document. Countries may shorten that for drivers aged 65 or over.

Will a driving ban from another EU country apply at home?

From 26 November 2029, a ban for a serious offence, such as speeding 50 km/h over the limit or drink- or drug-driving, will apply across the EU. It is passed on only if it is final with no appeal left, lasts at least three months, has more than one month left to run, and you were identified as the driver.

Can I drive a heavier electric van on a car licence?

From 26 November 2027, a category B licence held for two years covers alternatively fuelled vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes, not 3.5 tonnes. Motor caravans are not included in that rule.

Which EU countries have notified national measures so far?

The EU Publications Office's record lists national measures only from Belgium and Finland so far (checked 10 October 2026). Belgium's royal decree covers the licence for hydrogen or electric vans and applies from 26 November 2027; Finland notified its Driving Licence Act as amended. The country tracker on this page shows each country's status and when it was last checked.

Sources

  1. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES) Official (government)
    Retrieved: 8 October 2026
  2. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES) Official (government)
    Retrieved: 8 October 2026
  3. Publications Office of the European Union Original document
    Retrieved: 8 October 2026
  4. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES) Official (government)
    Retrieved: 8 October 2026
  5. Publications Office of the European Union Original document
    Retrieved: 8 October 2026
  6. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES) Official (government)
    Retrieved: 8 October 2026
  7. European Commission (incl. Travel to Europe: ETIAS and EES) Official (government)
    Retrieved: 9 October 2026
  8. Publications Office of the European Union Original document
    Retrieved: 10 October 2026
  9. Gesetze im Internet (Federal Ministry of Justice) Original document
    Retrieved: 10 October 2026
  10. Gesetze im Internet (Federal Ministry of Justice) Original document
    Retrieved: 10 October 2026
  11. Publications Office of the European Union Original document
    Retrieved: 10 October 2026
  12. Gesetze im Internet (Federal Ministry of Justice) Original document
    Retrieved: 10 October 2026

People, places and organizations

organization
European Commission
topic
Directive (EU) 2025/2205 on driving licences