EU driving license regulations set for upcoming changes

New European Union directives are set to introduce significant changes to driving license regulations across member states.

One update addresses vehicle weight limits for Category B license holders. To accommodate the increasing weight of modern vehicles and electric cars, the EU is proposing to raise the weight limit for autocampers from 3,500 kg to 4,250 kg. Drivers utilizing this higher limit may be required to complete a short training course or competency test, which would be noted on their license under code 99. These rules are expected to be fully implemented across the EU by 2030.

Another regulatory shift concerns health requirements for drivers with diabetes. New EU rules may allow certain drivers to receive licenses with longer validity periods. For instance, drivers using insulin or other glucose-lowering medications, who currently face a maximum five-year validity for passenger cars, could potentially receive licenses valid for up to ten years. In Norway, such changes would depend on professional assessments and the integration of the directive into the EEA agreement, which may not occur until at least 2029. Medical professionals will still retain the authority to recommend shorter validity periods to ensure road safety.