The European Union’s updated rules on driving licences, which entered into force on 25 November 2025, mark a significant modernisation of the legislative framework.
ECOO has been actively engaged in contributing to development of this new Directive, seeking to ensure the clarification and strengthening of the eyesight provisions.
“We are pleased that the revised Directive clarifies who can perform eyesight assessments and strengthens the conditions under which drivers’ vision is evaluated. We encourage Member States to apply these provisions ambitiously, including at licence renewal, to ensure road safety and high professional standards across Europe.” says Fabienne Eckert, Secretary General of ECOO
The key points in the Directive for eye care include:
- The replacement of the term “competent medical authority” with “competent professional authorised by national law.” This ensures that all professionals who are legally authorised in their national context, including optometrists and other qualified practitioners, may carry out the required assessments of visual fitness to drive.
- The adoption of a more structured pathway for eyesight evaluation. The initial check covers both visual acuity and the determination of whether additional field-of-vision testing is required.
- Clarification that decimal notation should be used for visual acuity, an internationally recognised standard that ECOO has long advocated for.
- The importance of ensuring adequate eyesight not only at first application but throughout a driver’s licensing life.
ECOO commends the work of Jutta Paulus MEP, rapporteur for the final stages of the procedure, and former MEP Karima Delli, who led the Parliament’s work in earlier phases. Their sustained commitment ensured that the eyesight provisions are clarified and improved in the final text.
Directive (EU) 2025/2205 on driving licences entered into force on 25 November 2025 and Member States must transpose its provisions into national law by 26 November 2029. ECOO will continue to support its members during this period and promote consistent and professionally aligned implementation across Europe.
ECOO has published a short briefing paper setting out the provisions in the Directive relating to vision. It will continue to support its members to promote consistent and professionally aligned implementation across Europe.
Download this news release.
Download our Directive on Driving Licences briefing paper.