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Brussels – The age limit of 15 years for driving an A-tractor will remain. This was agreed upon by the EU Parliament and EU member states in negotiations on the night of Tuesday.
The decision is welcomed by Swedish members of the EU Parliament who have worked hard across party lines for a positive stance.
“It is an everyday issue that is important to people,” says EU Parliament Member Johan Danielsson, Swedish Social Democrats. “It ensures young people’s ability to move, even where distances are long, winters are cold, and public transport is not always sufficient.”
Definitive approvals of the agreement are expected shortly in votes throughout the EU Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers.
Negotiations on new driving license rules have been ongoing since last fall. Originally, both the Parliament and the Council of Ministers were in favor of raising the age limit for A-tractors to 16 years. The result is now a continued 15-year limit, combined with the introduction of both practical and theoretical driving tests. At the same time, the maximum speed is increased to 45 kilometers per hour. This will apply at the earliest from 2026.
An A-tractor, or epa-tractor as they are also called, is a converted car that is popular in Sweden.
“I am very grateful that so many member states have shown understanding for Swedish young people being able to continue using A-tractors. Several member countries supported Sweden in the negotiations, which has now led to a breakthrough,” noted Sweden’s transport minister Andreas Carlson last week.
(March 25)