New European driving licence rules (2025 Directive)
HGV driving licence from age 18 with a certificate of professional competence, accompanied driving from age 17 and a digital driving licence. Countries have until the end of 2029 to apply this.
In 2025, the EU adopted a new Driving Licence Directive. It replaces the old rules step by step. These are the most important changes for truck drivers:
| What | New |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for category C | 18 years (instead of 21), if you hold a certificate of professional competence (code 95) |
| Accompanied driving from 17 | Countries may allow 17-year-olds to drive a truck on their own territory, together with an experienced companion. This is a choice for each country |
| Digital driving licence | An EU-wide digital driving licence on your smartphone, for all categories |
| Validity of C/CE | 5 years. Countries may shorten this from age 65 |
From when?
The new rules do not apply immediately:
- Member States have until November 2028 to transpose the Directive into their national law;
- they must apply the rules by November 2029 at the latest.
Until then, the current rules remain in force in each country. When your country introduces the new rules, this will appear in the chapter Rules by country.
Criticism
Trade unions, such as the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF), opposed accompanied driving for 17-year-olds in trucks because they fear for road safety. Employers' organisations see it as a way to tackle the driver shortage.