20/01/05 - MEP Anger Over Brussels Attack On British Motorists

MEP anger over Brussels attack on British motorists

South West Conservative MEP Neil Parish has criticised the proposed European Driving Licence Directive for its bureaucratic and over-regulatory approach.

The proposed Directive would establish a common European driving licence across all European Union Member States and would result in many changes for UK drivers.

Mr Parish commented:

"There are many aspects Directive which I find overarching. If implemented, drivers towing large caravans will be forced to have a separate licence.  The Directive also proposes that drivers must renew their licences every ten years and drivers over 65 shall have a licence valid for only 5 years.  This will cause inconvenience to drivers having to renew their licences and is prejudicial to elderly drivers who have an excellent safety record.  Finally, the Commission is proposing compulsory medical checks for drivers with certain health problems.  This would overrule the current UK notification system which works very well and has ensured British drivers are among the safest in Europe."

"I have no problem with a standard form of driving licence which can be used across European Union Member States but I do object to the bureaucracy and regulation that is contained in this Directive.  The UK has a driving licence system which works perfectly well, it is not for the nanny super-state of Brussels to burden British drivers with more red tape and unnecessary regulation."