The uniform driver's license for cars and motorcycles directive which was backed by the EU transport ministers on Monday will confront Slovenian citizens with a number of changes, the most prominent being the limitation of the license's validity to a maximum of 15 years.
Slovenian Transport minister Janez Bozic said that the validity of the driver's license for cars would be limited to 10 years with the possibility of an extension to 15 years if members states opt for this possibility.
"Considering the current provisions in Slovenia, which allow for the license not to be replaced before the holder reaches 80 years of age, I expect us to use the 15 years option," Bozic explained, adding that licences for trucks and buses will expire after five years.
He also announced some changes will be made in terms of vehicle classes and age limits for obtaining individual licences - in the future no one under 24 will get to drive the most powerful motorcycles, up from 21 today. The age limit for truck drivers will also be upped, from 18 to 21.
"The new rules will contribute to improving road security," Bozic said, while adding that the costs of the changeover were difficult to predict precisely, "but are expected to be manageable".
The directive sets 2012 as the final year for the member states to start issuing the new credit-card form licences, and 2032 as the date when all the licences are to be replaced.
Meanwhile, the ministers also officially confirmed the directive on a single European toll service for trucks and coaches, the eurovignette, which minister Bozic welcomed. According to him the directive will not have a significant impact on tolls in Slovenia.
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