The European Parliament adopted on Thursday 7 July a proposal allowing Ukrainian refugees to keep and use their national driving licence in the EU (561 votes in favour, 6 against, 5 abstentions). The European Commission proposed these temporary rules on 20 June (see EUROPE 12976/17). They will now have to be formally adopted by the EU Council.
With these rules, Ukrainians with temporary protection status will be able to continue to use their Ukrainian driving licence without having to exchange it for an EU licence or take a new driving test.
In the event of theft or loss of the Ukrainian document, the authorities of the EU Member States will be able to issue an EU driving licence after verifying that the person concerned holds a valid driving licence and is mentally and physically fit to drive.
In addition, provision is also made for Ukrainian refugees who worked as bus or truck drivers. After a short training course and a test, they will be able to have their Ukrainian vocational certificate recognised and thus work in the EU.
In addition, the text calls on Member States - where Ukraine may not be able to provide administrative support for renewing the documents concerned - to recognise a period of validity beyond the official period of administrative validity.
These rules, the text states, will remain applicable as long as the temporary protection status remains valid.
See the Commission’s proposal: https://aeur.eu/f/2jn (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)