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		EU driving licence plan must be stopped Wednesday, 18 February 2004 East Midlands MEP Roger Helmer has vowed to fight a plan to be put before the European Parliament which would require British drivers to apply for an EU licence. The Grosch Report calls for national driving licences to be replaced by an EU-wide scheme, removing control of driver registration from national governments. As might be expected with an EU scheme, the new Euro-licences would also impose added interferences on the British motorist. Most significantly, all drivers over the age of 45 would be required to have a medical examination as could disabled people before being considered for a licence The driving age would also be decided by Europe rather than by the UK government. There would be hugely increased numbers of classification of vehicle types for which separate tests would be required. The proposal, which was debated at first reading in the Transport Committee today, would have a major impact on all of Britain's motorists. Speaking from the European Parliament today, East Midlands Conservative Euro-MP Roger Helmer, commented: "This is a perfect example of the EU needlessly trying to interfere in an area which is already working perfectly well and in which there is no need to take away power from member states. The UK has already made sacrifices in this area by adopting a standard EU-pattern driving licence with a photo ID - now we're being told we should go further and just let Brussels take over the whole thing. The idea that everyone over 45 or who is disabled should take a medical before they can be given a licence is intrusive and absurd and will lead to vast expense and inconvenience for motorists. Our current system is efficient, and there is no reason to change what is a widely respected system internationally. I intend to fight this all the way."