The European Council of Ministers have reached an agreement on a European Commission proposal from 2003 regarding the harmonisation of European driving licences.

A single model in credit card format will replace the more than 110 different models currently in circulation.

Vice-President Jacques Barrot has welcomed the agreement. "The European driving licence is of vital importance for road safety and for the fight against fraud. It will make travel around Europe easier and without bureaucratic difficulties. All drivers will have clear, modern licences that will be accepted in all Member States. I am pleased the Council succeeded in reaching this agreement".

The new driving licence will ensure improved road safety through better definitions of the scope of application of the different driving licence categories. It will make clear exactly who is entitled to drive what. The new rules also set minimum standards for driving examiners.

The new legislation represents an important step towards combating fraud involving driving licences and the phenomenon of "driving licence tourism". Member States will strengthen their cooperation in order to prevent temporarily banned drivers from obtaining a new driving licence in another Member State. An EU wide-network for data-exchange of driving licenses needs also to be established for this purpose.

A single new driving licence model in credit card format with reinforced security features will be introduced, whereas the 110 different models still in circulation will be gradually phased out.

Once the directive is enacted into law, Member States will have 26 years at their disposal to replace the existing driving licences. Specific provisions have been agreed upon to ensure that every existing entitlement to drive a specific vehicle will continue to benefit from mutual recognition.

The new directive will leave Member States free to introduce a microchip or not on the new model. Whatever option they chose Member States must respect EU data protection rules.

In future, the validity of driving licenses will be limited. The new rules foresee a 10-year validity period for licenses, which Member States may raise to 15 years. Member States are free to organise medical examinations at the time of administrative renewal.

The formal adoption of the Directive by the European Parliament will be effective later in the year.