On June 29, Ukraine and the European Union will sign an agreement on the liberalization of road transport, known as ‘transport visa-free travel’ – it eliminates the need for Ukrainian carriers to obtain entry permits. In addition, this agreement provides, inter alia, for the recognition of Ukrainian driver’s licenses in the EU.
This means that Ukrainians will need a Ukrainian-style license to drive a car in Europe – they will not have to take additional exams.
Ukrainians could still use the new driver’s license in the EU, but there were restrictions in a number of countries. For example, in Austria, Latvia and Germany, they could be used without restrictions for only six months. These restrictions must now be lifted.
The agreement itself is indefinite and does not contain any additional conditions for staying in the EU. Truck drivers can cross the border with EU countries any number of times and for any period.
As the European Commission has the consent of all 27 EU member states and the mandate to sign the agreement, the document will work immediately. Ukraine was among the first non-EU countries with which the European Union concluded such an agreement. Negotiations are currently underway to sign a similar document between the EU and Moldova.
