Driver's license change from 2023 - new regulations for every driver

Since this year, new rules have been in force that affect all motorists. And important changes are also planned for the driver's license.

For motorists, there are not only changes in 2023 that will bring fines and penalties, as echo24.de has reported. There are also new regulations for all driving licences – and they provide for an enormous expansion of the driving licence.

This means that the driving licence will not only be an issue for motorists who will be affected by the exchange period in January, but the European Union (EU) wants to launch a special directive this year, which would then result in changes to the car driving licence and the driving licence test for novice drivers.

Fourth Driving Licence Directive to come – this will change for motorists

The "General German Automobile Club" (ADAC) writes about the planned changes for the driver's license that the EU is currently "fundamentally revising the currently valid, 3rd Driver's License Directive". However, in order for the innovations to come into force in Germany, it must first be "transposed into national law", according to the report.

The 4th Driving Licence Directive is essentially about increasing the maximum permissible mass that can be moved, the recognition of a certain driving licence class abroad, the digitisation of the driving licence document and, among other things, the recognition of the withdrawal of driving licences abroad.

Moving more tonnes with a car driving licence thanks to an innovation in the driving licence

For the normal class B car driver's license, more freedom is to be achieved in 2023. Up to now, drivers who obtained their driving licence after 1 January 1999 have been allowed to drive motor vehicles with category B up to a maximum permissible mass of 3.5 tonnes. The new directive now significantly expands the permissible weight.

So far, it is usually difficult to get a motorhome that corresponds to the registered weight class. In the future, all holders of a category B driving licence would be allowed to drive vehicles weighing up to 4.25 tonnes.

Extended driving licence for light motorcycles is valid throughout the EU

In addition, according to the "ADAC", the B196 driving licence should also be recognised abroad. If you extend your car driving licence to this class, you are allowed to drive light motorcycles up to 125 cc. However, so far only in Germany. With the amendment, this would also be possible throughout the EU.

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And the driver's license is to become digital. According to the report, the aim is to ensure that the corresponding app on the smartphone is sufficient for a police check or car rental. It goes on to say: "A QR code instead of today's chip is also being considered for the driver's license check card to make it more forgery-proof."

Changes in driving practice: The path to the driving test is becoming more difficult

Learner drivers would have to change enormously with the changes. Although it should also be easier to "take the theoretical and practical driving test in different member states of the European Union", the path to practical training could become more difficult. The 4th directive would stipulate that the theory must first be passed in order to be allowed to get into a car. In addition, "the driving test could be taken at least partially in simulators in the future".

Following the recommendation of numerous road safety experts, new drivers would have to complete a so-called refresher course after one year. This is intended to help reduce the number of accidents. The EU Commission also provides for a change for senior citizens. According to this, people aged 70 and over should take a mandatory driving test. In Baden-Württemberg, however, this bill is encountering resistance, as echo24.de reports.

Driving bans in Europe are to become uniform

For drivers who have had their driving licences revoked, it is also to become more uniform in Europe. According to the "ADAC" report: "A driving ban imposed in Italy would then also apply in Germany". And: uniform limits for alcohol and drug consumption are to be introduced. To this end, the points systems in the different countries are to be harmonised and "the driving licence dataof all EU citizens are to be stored in a Europe-wide database".

Overview of the planned changes for the 2023 driving licence

• In the future, 4.25 tonnes will be driven with a class B driving licence
• Recognition of B196 also abroad
• Digital driver's license and QR code
• In the future, learner drivers will first be theoretical and then practical
• Withdrawal of driving licences: EU-wide recognition
• Truck and bus class (C, D): lower minimum age to 18