The government has announced details of the new safety requirements that will govern lorry drivers and other motorists in the UK.
Measures to improve the skill and safety of new motorcycle, lorry and bus drivers include new rules on licence renewals and examinations.
Currently, bus and lorry drivers are required to renew their licence every five years once they reach the age of 45, demonstrating their fitness to drive by undergoing a full medical.
Under the new measures, which come into force in 2013, under-45s will also need to show their medical fitness and update their licence every five years.
The rules have been introduced to ensure the UK is able to comply with new European requirements on driver testing, training, examination and licensing, which also take effect from 2013.
Noel Shanahan, chief executive of the driver and vehicle licensing agency, said: "We are implementing the requirements of the new directive with the least possible inconvenience to the UK bus and haulage industry, who already operate to high levels of safety."
The announcement comes after the government recently pledged £30 million of funding to help reduce the level of carbon emissions from road transport in the UK.
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