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While there are many close similarities, the requirement for gaining a driving licence within each European country does vary. While various European directives do stipulate minimum standards, member states can adopt their own best practice.
90% of all driving tests concern Category B (Motor Car). New lorry and bus drivers have to pass their test in this category before being allowed to take a test in the respective category.
Physical and mental fitness to drive
All countries have some form of eyesight check and medical fitness declaration. While countries such as the UK, Belgium and Holland use a vehicle registration plate, others require applicants to have their eyesight checked by an optician. In both Austria and Spain, a medical examination is required.
Theory Test
Most countries have a written or computerised theoretical test for prospective drivers; also, it is possible for candidates with reading problems, or foreigners, to take an oral version of the examination. As well as testing knowledge of traffic law, rules and road procedures; driver and vehicle regulations; observance of speed limits and following distances; risk factors such as vulnerable road users, questions can also be expected on first aid, environmentally friendly driving, use of alcohol, drugs and medicines. Theory candidates in German, Hungary and Austria must gain first aid certificates.
In some countries such as Croatia and Ireland, the theoretical test must be taken and passed before the candidate can take practical lessons. In Germany, Hungary and Luxemburg, candidates are obliged to follow a prescribed course of theory lessons with a Driving School as a condition for taking the theoretical test.
No country, apart from Britain has an Hazard Perception test element to this examination.
Practical Test
Total time spent on a practical test varies from 30 to 50 minutes (20 to 40 minutes net time) in most countries. Test routes involve residential streets along with various other roads both and inside and outside built-up areas. In most counties, apart from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, motorways are also used whenever possible. Candidates are expected to show competence on roads where the national speed applies. Some countries have special testing grounds for set-piece manoeuvres and also allow candidates to use motorways.
In most countries the examiner sits in the front passenger seat. In others, the examiner sits in the back, (it is compulsory for the instructor to accompany the candidate) allowing the instructor to stay in the front.
In some countries, such as Sweden, examiners are allowed flexible routes, but the candidate is assigned the task of driving to a certain location, following the traffic direction signs.
Each country is required to test at least two set-piece manoeuvres, of which one should be a reversing/parking exercise. In Britain, this manoeuvre is one of the top ten reasons for a driving test failure.
The assessment of mistakes made when driving does vary from state to state. In Britain, too many driving faults, along with potentially or actually dangerous errors will result in failure.
In all countries there are examiner procedures for greeting the candidate, making a technical check of the vehicle, conducting the main body of the test, including the special manoeuvres and debriefing the candidate at the end.
Some European countries impose some form of night driving certificate. This is obtained from a Driving School. In Norway and Hungary, candidates have to have this before they can take the practical test. In Sweden, driving at night can be part of the practical test.
While Test Centres in certain countries hesitate to issue results immediately because examiners often have to deal with unsuccessful candidates who become aggressive, in most cases immediate feedback is provided in the form of a de-briefing. The presence of the instructor is favoured and in some countries is mandatory.
Vehicles presented for test must have safety belts fitted and also for reasons of safety, not all countries require duals, Great Britain being one, dual controls, head restraints and rear view mirrors should be fitted. The Commission Internationale des Examens de Conduite Automobile (CIECA) recommends that vehicles used on a driving test should have 5 doors when more than two people are present in the car.
Although there are notable differences existing between the formats of driving tests of the members’ states of the European Union, the content of each test does have broad similarities.
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