Ukrainian refugees will be able to use their national driving licenses within the European Union, the European Parliament said on Thursday.
"Only two weeks after the European Commission presented its proposal, MEPs agreed to simplify the procedure for Ukrainian refugees to keep their driving licences in the EU," the European Parliament said in a press release.
According to the Parliament, Ukrainian citizens who have received temporary protection in the EU territory will be able to drive with a driving license obtained in Ukraine. Thus, they will not have to obtain a new license or exchange their driving licenses for those of the country of temporary residence. In particular, Ukrainian refugees with valid driving licenses will be spared the need to take a test in the theory and practical driving and undergo a medical examination.
The parliament also said that European countries would be able to issue driving licenses to replace lost or stolen Ukrainian licenses after receiving confirmation from the Ukrainian authorities, adding that professional lorry and bus drivers would be able to confirm their qualifications under a simplified procedure in the EU and work on its territory.
On June 24, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that, over the course of the crisis in Ukraine, 7.5 million Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the EU, and 3 million are still in the European Union.
