EU adopts new driving licence rules for seniors

The European Union adopted its fourth driving‑licence directive in October 2025, which entered into force in November 2025. The law gives each member state the option to shorten the validity period of licences for drivers over 65 years old and to tie renewals to health checks or refresher courses. The change is optional, not mandatory, and must respect non‑discrimination, aiming to improve road safety as part of the EU’s Vision Zero programme.

Member states must transpose the rules into national law. Poland will need to adapt its current system, where licences are generally valid for 15 years and can be reduced to 10 years when also used as an identity document. Sweden has not yet decided on any senior‑driver measures and expects any national implementation to begin around 2029, with digital licences to be introduced by 2030. The directive also introduces a EU‑wide digital driving licence that will be equivalent to the physical document.