The European Parliament has voted through the reform of driving licences. The changes will apply across the entire European Union and will come into force gradually from 2028 to 2030. For readers in the Balkans this matters - even countries that are not EU members will have to adapt, because we drive on the same roads they do.

The most important change: a driving ban issued in one state will apply across the whole EU. End of the old trick - drive drunk in Germany, lose your licence there, keep going in Poland. That's over. All member states will share the data.

The second big change: a digital driving licence available on a smartphone, like a digital bank card. Paper and plastic cards don't disappear right away, but the digital version becomes the official EU-wide one. For readers with smartphones - less paper. For older drivers - perhaps frustration.

Drivers with a Category B licence will be allowed to operate vehicles up to 4.25 tonnes (with additional training). Good news for camper-van and motorhome fans - you will no longer need a Category C for modern motorhomes. The age threshold for professional drivers drops: trucks from 18 years, buses from 21 years.

The tricky part: every new driver will go through a two-year probation period. They'll be subject to stricter rules on offences. Driving with an accompanying licensed driver (a parent or licensed adult) becomes available from 17. Licences will be valid for 15 years.

For the Balkans this is a practical issue. Macedonian drivers who regularly drive in the EU will have to keep up with the changes - especially the digital licence. Some countries will probably still recognise our paper one. Others won't. Our state, as always, will „align" with the EU late - and by then our paper licence will be invalid halfway to Vienna.

The question nobody is asking at the political level: when will our state systems be ready for a digital driving licence? That's not an EU problem, that's a problem for our Interior Ministry. And usually, when it comes to digitisation, our Interior Ministry takes about 10 years to come up with the right answer.