Finland Times

 

File Photo – Lehtikuva.

The European Commission on Thursday referred Finland to Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to correctly transpose European rules on driving licences.

 

Finland has not implemented EU regulations regarding driving licences into national law, said a European Commission press release.

 

According to the Commission, Finland, among other things, has granted licences whose period of validity is not in line with EU rules. 

 

Action is being sought because Finland has failed to connect to the EU driving licence network (RESPER). Through the so-called “Resper” network, member states can cooperate with each other and ensure that drivers’ licences are issued in accordance to EU regulations.

 

Information exchange through the network should have begun in January 2013, when all new licences issued in the EU became a uniform credit card-sized.

 

Under the new regulations, drivers of passenger cars and motorcycles must renew their licences every 10 to 15 years, depending on the member state. Bus and lorry drivers’ licences must be renewed every five years, and renewal requires a medical examination.

 

Under the Resper system, member states are also able to ensure that a driver is in possession of only one licence.

 

The European Commission opened relevant infringement procedures against Finland in July 2014 and sent an explanation. The Commission believes Finland has failed to fulfil its obligations under the directive, and the Commission has decided to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.