The European Union agreement to modernise driving licences in EU Member States will not impact Belgium's plans to introduce a points-based system for the time being.
The reform aims to ease free movement within the European Union and enhance road safety. By the end of 2030, a uniform EU-wide mobile driving licence should be available in a digital wallet that will remain valid for 15 years. As it stands, this agreement will not change the Belgian ambition to introduce a points-based driving licence system.
"In the future, there may be a unified points-based driving licence system at the European level," spokesperson for Belgium's road safety institute Vias, Stef Willems, told The Brussels Times. "But we still have a long way to go."
Future potential
On Tuesday, the EU Member States agreed on the broader principles to reform the European system – such as a mobile licence recognised in all Member States and a probation period for new drivers – but not on the technical side of things or the format.
"Currently, some countries already have a virtual driving licence with points: if I make mistakes when driving in Luxembourg, it is virtually noted somewhere," Willems said. "If a format could be found to fit such a system in the European digital driving licence, then that could definitely be added."
The introduction of a points-based driving licence has been the subject of discussion in Belgium since the 1990s. However, Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) put the topic back on the agenda as part of the negotiations for the coalition agreement.
Credit: Michel Krakowski / Belga
In a points-based system, an offence – depending on its severity – takes one or more points off your total. Drivers who lose a certain number of points can lose their driving licence or face further sanctions.
The new EU agreement, however, is mainly focused on ensuring the police from one Member State do not lose track of drivers who violate the law when they cross into another country. "It will be a useful tool for the police to be able to check who has a valid driving licence, nationally and internationally."
The European Parliament and Member States must still formally approve the agreement. Once approved, EU countries will have four years to implement the rules into law.
