The temporary driving licence is nothing other than a rip-off

Sharp criticism was made by Rolf von Hohenhau, president of the Taxpayers Association of Europe (TAE), at the "temporary licence" as anticipated from 2013 with the implementation of the current EU driving licence Directive. At the same time, the Taxpayers Association of Europe warns of unachievable administrative conditions as well as additional costs.

As the Taxpayers president von Hohenhau states: From 2013, the new EU driving licence Directive will be in force. All motorists will then have to renew their licence every 15 years. Safety on Europe’s roads is important, but it should lead to the fact that conditions for the renewal and/or extension of licences are made so difficult, that they can no longer be met by ordinary citizens. A bureaucratic monster threatens to rear its head, the cost of which will fall on the backs of the taxpayers. The licence holder will have to bear the brunt of this action as well as meet the costs of licence renewal. In doing so, they run the risk of being ripped off.

As the Taxpayers president von Hohenhau goes on to say, "This new rule will especially hit older drivers who are not used to such examination stress." At the same time, the statistics show that older drivers are less likely to be involved in road accidents. People have to work longer and the retirement age of 67 years is to be pushed back further. Health becomes subordinate. At the same time, no trust is put in people: The trust that people themselves have the ability to check and ensure their own mobility.

So far, as the Taxpayers Association of Europe states, neither the scope nor the introduction of sight tests or health tests has been decided upon for Germany. It remains up to the Member States themselves to decide upon what conditions the licence is renewed. There is a danger that Germany – needlessly – will introduce excessive barriers and charges concerning licence renewal and rely upon Brussels to back it up.

As president Rolf von Hohenhau goes on to state: Today, it is important to stress that Germany has considerable leeway in transposing the EU Directive on driving licences. Germany must design a framework for transposing the EU driving licence Directive in such a way, that it is takes place with the citizen’s interest absolutely at heart.
Brussels/Munich, 9th February 2009