EU directive could mean changes to driving licence

THE EUROPEAN Union is looking to harmonise and homogenise driving licences in an effort to clamp down on fraud and allow citizens to drive freely within the Union without any hiccups or bumps. This also means new driving licences and regular renewals for Cypriots over the age of 65.

In yesterday’s Politis, Transport Department official, Sotiris Koletas, said that once the EU proposal became a directive, the department was ready to go ahead with its implementation. The EU is currently fine tuning the directive but the main idea is to reduce the number of fake licences, allow for free movement of drivers within the EU and improve road safety.

Brussels has decided in favour of limiting the validity of licences to a shorter period. All licences issued after the directive has been implemented would have to be replaced after a fixed period and a recent photograph thrown in.

At the moment, there are over 80 different types of driving licences within the EU. The new directive aims to have uniform driving licences, valid across the Union and with fixed expiry dates.

The EU proposal currently states that car and motorcycle licences will last for 10 and five years respectively after the age of 65, while bus and truck licences will expire after five years and one year if the owner is over 65.

The licences will be issued on plastic card once the legislation is enacted, according to the proposal, although current Cypriot paper licences will not be affected.

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