The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) has adopted a position on the EU Driving License Directive, which includes the option for 17-year-old holders to drive trucks accompanied by an experienced driver. In addition, it proposes a more simplified recognition of driving licenses and training certificates from third countries. This review could be put to a vote in the plenary session of the European Parliament in January 2024.
This European Commission initiative seeks to remove barriers to attract more talent to the transport sector, which currently faces a shortage of around 600,000 drivers. TRAN supports an EU-wide accompanied driving programme, allowing 17-year-old drivers to safely gain experience alongside an experienced driver.
Raluca Marian, IRU EU Advocacy Director, underlines the need for safe and well-trained drivers. It states that accompanied driving is a professionally supervised program that encourages young graduates to consider the profession. Another TRAN proposal seeks to simplify the recognition of qualifications and training of professional drivers from third countries, establishing a harmonized procedure for the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) of those drivers.
