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3 clusters · 9 sources · 27 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 15 days ago

EU driving license regulatory changes

Overview

European Union member states Germany and Austria are implementing various regulatory changes regarding driving licenses.

In Germany, authorities are transitioning from paper and plastic licenses to a new EU-wide, fraud-proof card. This process requires millions of drivers to exchange their current documents at local licensing authorities for a fee. Deadlines for this exchange vary based on the original issue date, with some cut-offs set for early 2027.

In Austria, the 23rd amendment to the Driving License Act (FSG-Novelle) is set to take effect on September 1, 2026. These reforms aim to reduce bureaucracy and adjust testing timelines. Key changes include extending the validity of C or D class licenses for professional drivers aged 60 or older from two to five years. International driving permits issued under the Vienna Convention will also see their validity increased from one to three years, though permits under the Geneva and Paris conventions will remain valid for only one year.

Testing regulations are also being modified: the waiting period for retaking a failed driving exam will be reduced from 14 days to 12 days. Conversely, penalties for cheating during theoretical exams will increase, with the suspension period rising from nine to 18 months. Additionally, in instances of lost or stolen licenses, the temporary driving authorization provided by a police report will be extended from four weeks to eight weeks.

Entities

ÖAMTC · Austria · Austrian Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure · European Union · Germany

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The 23rd amendment to the Driving License Act (FSG) comes into force on September 1. www.motor-freizeit-trends.at · kurier.at
[● 2 SOURCES] Driving license classes C and D will now have a five-year validity period even for those aged 60 and over, up from the previous two-year requirement. www.motor-freizeit-trends.at · kurier.at
[● 2 SOURCES] International driving licenses under the Vienna Convention will be valid for three years instead of one. www.motor-freizeit-trends.at · kurier.at
[● 2 SOURCES] Individuals who fail a driving test can retake it after 12 days, compared to the previous two-week waiting period. www.motor-freizeit-trends.at · kurier.at
[● 2 SOURCES] The suspension period for attempted deception during a driving test will increase from nine months to 18 months. www.motor-freizeit-trends.at · kurier.at
[○ 1 SOURCE] A confirmation of report following the loss or theft of a license will now permit driving for up to eight weeks. kurier.at

Timeline

15 days ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Austria implements new driving license regulations
Austria's 23rd Driving License Act amendment takes effect September 1, extending validity for classes C and D and international permits, while adjusting exam retake and suspension periods.
18 days ago

[POLITICS] 5 sources
Austria implements driving license reforms
Austria's new driving license amendment, effective September 1, 2026, extends validity for professional drivers over 60 and increases the duration of international permits under the Vienna Convention.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
EU sets new driver’s licence card deadlines for Germany and Austria
Germany and Austria must replace old driver’s licences with new EU cards by 2027 and 2033 respectively, incurring fees and risking fines or long wait times if deadlines are missed.

Sources

5min.at · allesauto.at · ka-news.de · kosmo.at · kroativ.at · motor-freizeit-trends.at · motor.at · vorarlberg.orf.at · wir-sind-kaufbeuren.de

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history