Newsroom
Getting behind the wheel in Cyprus, and across Europe, is about to change.
The European Parliament has approved a major update to driving license rules, including a digital license you can store on your phone, a 15-year validity period, and a two-year trial period for new drivers. The goal: make Europe’s roads safer and cut the 20,000 deaths that still happen every year across the EU.
Two-year probation for new drivers
First-time drivers will face a two-year probation period with tougher penalties for offenses like drunk driving, not wearing a seatbelt, or ignoring child seat rules.
Teens can now apply for a car license at 17, but they’ll need an experienced driver in the passenger seat until they turn 18. The EU also hopes to tackle the shortage of professional drivers by lowering the minimum age for truck and bus licenses, provided applicants complete the right training.
New training, fewer blind spots
Driving lessons are also getting a refresh. New drivers will learn how to handle blind spots, safely open doors to protect cyclists, and understand the dangers of using phones behind the wheel. Training will put more focus on keeping pedestrians and cyclists safe — not just drivers.
Digital licenses are coming
The traditional plastic card is on its way out. Under the new rules, a digital driver’s license will gradually become the main format across the EU. You’ll be able to carry it on your phone, though paper versions will still be available for anyone who prefers them.
Car and motorcycle licenses will be valid for 15 years, and truck or bus licenses for five. EU countries can require more frequent medical checks for older drivers or shorter renewal periods if needed.
One ban fits all
Another key change: if your license is suspended for a serious offense in one EU country, that ban will apply everywhere in the bloc, including Cyprus.
The new rules will take effect 20 days after they’re published in the EU’s Official Journal. Member states then have three years to pass them into national law and one more year to get systems ready.
It’s all part of the EU’s “Vision Zero” goal, cutting road deaths to nearly zero by 2050.
