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►B DIRECTIVE 2003/59/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 15 July 2003
on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage
of goods or passengers, amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 and Council Directive
91/439/EEC and repealing Council Directive 76/914/EEC
(OJ L 226, 10.9.2003, p. 4)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1 Council Directive 2004/66/EC of 26 April 2004 L 168 35 1.5.2004
►M2 Council Directive 2006/103/EC of 20 November 2006 L 363 344 20.12.2006
►M3 Regulation (EC) No 1137/2008 of the European Parliament and of the
Council of 22 October 2008L 311 1 21.11.20082003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —1
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DIRECTIVE 2003/59/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 15 July 2003
on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain
road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, amendingCouncil Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 and Council Directive
91/439/EEC and repealing Council Directive 76/914/EEC
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and
in particular Article 71 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social
Committee (2),
After consultation of the Committee of the Regions,Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of
the Treaty (
3),
Whereas:
(1) Article 5(1), (2) and (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 (4)
provides that certain drivers engaged in the carriage of goodsor passengers by road must, depending on their age, on thecategory of vehicle used and on the distance to be travelled,hold a certificate of professional competence in conformity withCommunity rules on the minimum level of training for some roadtransport drivers. That minimum level is determined by Directive76/914/EEC (
5).
(2) Given that the provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 applyto a very small percentage of drivers and that currently the
compulsory training of drivers is only required by a few
Member States, the majority of drivers now driving onCommunity territory are carrying out their profession solely onthe basis of a driving licence.
(3) To enable drivers to meet the new demands arising from thedevelopment of the road transport market, Community rulesshould be made applicable to all drivers, whether they drive asself-employed or salaried workers, and whether on own accountor for hire or reward.
(4) The establishment of new Community rules is aimed at ensuringthat, by means of his or her qualification, the driver is of astandard to have access to and carry out the activity of driving.
(5) More particularly, the obligation to hold an initial qualification
and to undergo periodic training is intended to improve road
safety and the safety of the driver, including during operationscarried out by the driver while the vehicle is stopped.Furthermore, the modern nature of the profession of driver2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —2
(1) OJ C 154 E, 29.5.2001, p. 258 and OJ C 20 E, 28.1.2003, p. 263.
(2) OJ C 260, 17.9.2001, p. 90.
(3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 17 January 2002 (OJ C 271 E,
7.11.2002, p. 381), Council Common Position of 5 December 2002 (OJ C32 E, 11.2.2003, p. 9) and Decision of the European Parliament of 8 April2003 (not yet published in the Official Journal). Decision of the Council of13 June 2003.
(
4) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 of 20 December 1985 on the harmo-
nisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport (OJ L 370,
31.12.1985, p. 1).
(5) Council Directive 76/914/EEC of 16 December 1976 on the minimum level
of training for some road transport drivers (OJ L 357, 29.12.1976, p. 36).
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should arouse young people's interest in the profession, contri-
buting to the recruitment of new drivers at a time of shortage.
(6) To avoid unequal conditions of competition, this Directive shouldapply to the activity of driving both by the nationals of a MemberState and by nationals of third countries who are employed orused by an undertaking established in a Member State.
(7) In order to establish that the driver complies with his or herobligations, Member States should issue the driver with a certi-ficate of professional competence, hereinafter referred to as‘CPC’, certifying his or her initial qualification or periodic
training.
(8) Given the differences between current systems in certain MemberStates, Member States should be able to choose between severaloptions so as to facilitate the implementation of the provisionsrelating to the initial qualification.
(9) In order to maintain their qualification of driver, existing driversshould be obliged to undergo periodic retraining in the skillsessential for their profession.
(10) The minimum requirements to be met for the initial qualificationand the periodic training concern the safety rules to be observedwhen driving and while the vehicle is stopped. The development
of defensive driving —anticipating danger, making allowance for
other road users —which goes hand in hand with rational fuel
consumption, will have a positive impact both on society and onthe road transport sector itself.
(11) This Directive should not affect the rights acquired by a driverwho has held the driving licence necessary to carry out the
activity of driving since before the date laid down for obtaining
a CPC certifying the corresponding initial qualification or theperiodic training.
(12) Only training centres which have been approved by thecompetent authorities of the Member States should be able toorganise the training courses laid down for the initial qualification
and the periodic training. To ensure the quality of these approved
centres, the competent authorities should set harmonised criteriafor their approval including that of a well-established high levelof professionalism.
(13) Not only the competent authorities of the Member States but alsoany entity designated by them should be responsible for orga-
nising the tests provided for in connection with the initial quali-
fication and the periodic training. Given the importance of thisDirective for road safety and for the equality of conditions ofcompetition, the competent authorities of the Member Statesshould supervise such tests.
(14) Member States should prescribe that the first session of periodic
training is to be completed and should issue the corresponding
CPC, within the five years following either the date of issue ofthe CPC certifying the initial qualification or the expiry date ofthe time limit set for certain drivers to claim their acquired rights.It should also be possible for these time limits to be shortened orextended. Following the first periodic training, the driver shouldundergo periodic training every five years.
(15) To certify that a driver who is a national of a Member State is theholder of one of the CPCs provided for by this Directive, and tofacilitate mutual recognition of the various CPCs, Member Statesshould affix the harmonised Community code laid down for thatpurpose, together with the code's expiry date, either to the drivinglicence or to the new driver qualification card, to be mutuallyrecognised by Member States, the harmonised model of which islaid down by this Directive. This card should meet the same2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —3
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security requirements as the driving licence, given the importance
of the rights which it confers for road safety and the equality ofconditions of competition. The possibility afforded to MemberStates to affix the Community code on the new card shouldenable them to lay down a period of validity for drivinglicences which does not coincide with the date of expiry of thevalidity of periodic training, given that Directive 91/439/EEC (
1)
provides that each Member State is to retain the right to
determine, on the basis of national criteria, the period of
validity of the driving licences which it issues.
(16) Annexes I and Ia to Directive 91/439/EEC should be amended soas to add to the list of harmonised codes and sub-codes set out inthose Annexes the new Community code determining the dateuntil which a driver fulfils the professional skills requirement,whether this is an initial qualification or periodic training.
(17) Special certification provisions should be laid down for driverscovered by this Directive who are nationals of third countries.
(18) The Commission should monitor the implementation of thisDirective, particularly given the different initial qualificationsystems which it lays down, and should submit a report on thissubject to the European Parliament, the Council, the European
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the
Regions.
(19) Given the significant number of drivers covered by this Directive,the provisions relating to the initial qualification should beapplied in two stages, depending on whether the carriage ofpassengers or the carriage of goods is involved. The phasedapplication of this Directive as regards the initial qualificationfor drivers of vehicles engaged in the carriage of goods andpassengers should also make it possible for periodic training to
be established in a phased manner.
(20) The measures necessary to implement this Directive should be
adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise ofimplementing powers conferred on the Commission (
2).
(21) To take account of the application on two different dates of theprovisions relating to the initial qualification, the relevantprovisions of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 as well asDirective 76/914/EEC should be repealed.
(22) However, it is desirable, in order to respect the principles ofCommunity law, that drivers of vehicles used to carry outtransport where this is considered to have a lesser impact onroad safety or where the requirements of this Directive would
impose a disproportionate economic or social burden, should be
exempted from the application of this Directive.
(23) Since the objective of the proposed action, namely the estab-lishment of a Community-wide standard for initial qualificationand periodic training, cannot be sufficiently achieved by theMember States and can therefore, by reason of the scale andthe effects of the proposed action, be better achieved atCommunity level, the Community may adopt measures inaccordance with the principle of subsidiarity set out inArticle 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of
proportionality as set out in that Article, this Directive does not
go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective,2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —4
(1) Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences (OJ
L 237, 24.8.1991, p. 1); Directive as last amended by CommissionDirective 2000/56/EC (OJ L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 45).
(
2) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.
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HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
Scope
This Directive shall apply to the activity of driving carried out by:
(a) nationals of a Member State; and
(b) nationals of third countries who are employed or used by an under-
taking established in a Member State;
hereinafter referred to as ‘drivers ’, engaged in road transport within the
Community, on roads open to the public, using:
—vehicles for which a driving licence of category C1, C1+E, C or C
+E, as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC, or a driving licencerecognised as equivalent, is required,
—vehicles for which a driving licence of category D1, D1+E, D or D
+E, as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC, or a driving licencerecognised as equivalent, is required.
Article 2
Exemptions
This Directive shall not apply to the drivers of:
(a) vehicles with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 45 km/h;
(b) vehicles used by, or under the control of, the armed forces, civil
defence, the fire service and forces responsible for maintainingpublic order;
(c) vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development, repair or
maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt vehicles which have not
yet been put into service;
(d) vehicles used in states of emergency or assigned to rescue missions;
(e) vehicles used in the course of driving lessons for any person
wishing to obtain a driving licence or a CPC, as provided for inArticle 6 and Article 8(1);
(f) vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or goods,
for personal use;
(g) vehicles carrying material or equipment to be used by the driver in
the course of his or her work, provided that driving the vehicle isnot the driver's principal activity.
Article 3
Qualification and training
1. The activity of driving as defined in Article 1 shall be subject to a
compulsory initial qualification and compulsory periodic training. Tothis end Member States shall provide for:
(a) a system of initial qualification
Member States shall choose between the following two options:
(i) option combining both course attendance and a test
In accordance with section 2(2.1) of Annex I, this type of initial
qualification involves compulsory course attendance for aspecific period. It shall conclude with a test. Upon successfulcompletion of the test, the qualification shall be certified by aCPC as provided for in Article 6(1)(a);2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —5
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(ii) option involving only tests
In accordance with section 2(2.2) of Annex I, this type of initial
qualification does not involve compulsory course attendance butonly theoretical and practical tests. Upon successful completionof the tests, the qualification shall be certified by a CPC asprovided for in Article 6(1)(b).
However, a Member State may authorise a driver to drive within its
territory before obtaining a CPC, when he or she is undergoing anational vocational training course of at least six months, for amaximum period of three years. In the context of this vocationaltraining course, the tests referred to in points (i) and (ii) may becompleted in stages;
(b) a system of periodic training
In accordance with section 4 of Annex I, periodic training involves
compulsory course attendance. It shall be certified by a CPC asprovided for in Article 8(1).
2. Member States may also provide for a system of accelerated initial
qualification so that a driver may drive in the cases referred to inArticle 5(2)(a)(ii) and (b) and in Article 5(3)(a)(i) and (b).
In accordance with section 3 of Annex I, the accelerated initial quali-
fication shall involve compulsory course attendance. It shall conclude
with a test. Upon successful completion of the test, the qualification
shall be certified by a CPC as provided for in Article 6(2).
3. Member States may exempt drivers who have obtained the certi-
ficate of professional competence provided for in Directive 96/26/EC (
1)
from the tests referred to in paragraph 1(a)(i) and (ii) and in paragraph 2
in the subjects covered by the test provided for in that Directive and,
where appropriate, from attending the part of the course correspondingthereto.
Article 4
Acquired rights
The following drivers shall be exempted from the requirement to obtain
an initial qualification:
(a) drivers who hold a category D1, D1+E, D or D+E licence, or a
licence recognised as equivalent, issued no later than two years afterthe final date for the transposition of this Directive;
(b) drivers who hold a category C1, C1+E, C or C+E licence, or a
licence recognised as equivalent, issued no later than three yearsafter the final date for the transposition of this Directive.
Article 5
Initial qualification
1. Access to an initial qualification shall not require the corre-
sponding driving licence to be obtained beforehand.2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —6
(1) Council Directive 96/26/EC of 29 April 1996 on admission to the occupation
of road haulage operator and road passenger transport operator and mutualrecognition of diplomas, certificates and other evidence of formal qualifi-
cations intended to facilitate for these operators the right to freedom of
establishment in national and international transport operations (OJ L 124,23.5.1996, p. 1); Directive as last amended by Directive 98/76/EC (OJ L 277,14.10.1998, p. 17).
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2. Drivers of a vehicle intended for the carriage of goods may drive:
(a) from the age of 18:
(i) a vehicle in licence categories C and C+E, provided they hold a
CPC as referred to in Article 6(1);
(ii) a vehicle in licence categories C1 and C1+E, provided they
hold a CPC as referred to in Article 6(2);
(b) from the age of 21, a vehicle in licence categories C and C+E,
provided they hold a CPC as referred to in Article 6(2).
3. Drivers of a vehicle intended for the carriage of passengers may
drive:
(a) from the age of 21:
(i) a vehicle in licence categories D and D+E to carry passengers
on regular services where the route does not exceed 50 kilo-metres and a vehicle in licence categories D1 and D1+E,provided they hold a CPC as referred to in Article 6(2).
Any Member State may authorise drivers of vehicles in one of
the abovementioned categories to drive such vehicles within its
territory from the age of 18, provided they hold a CPC asreferred to in Article 6(1);
(ii) a vehicle in licence categories D and D+E, provided they hold a
CPC as referred to in Article 6(1).
Any Member State may authorise drivers of vehicles in one of
the abovementioned categories to drive such vehicles within itsterritory from the age of 20, provided they hold a CPC asreferred to in Article 6(1). This may be reduced to the age of18 where the driver drives such vehicles without passengers;
(b) from the age of 23, a vehicle in licence categories D and D+E,
provided they hold a CPC as referred to in Article 6(2).
4. Without prejudice to the age limits specified in paragraph 2,
drivers undertaking carriage of goods who hold a CPC as providedfor in Article 6 for one of the categories provided for in paragraph 2of this Article shall be exempted from obtaining such a CPC for anyother of the categories of vehicles referred to in that paragraph.
These provisions shall apply under the same conditions to drivers under-
taking carriage of passengers in the categories referred to in paragraph 3.
5. Drivers undertaking carriage of goods who broaden or modify
their activities in order to carry passengers, or vice versa, and whohold a CPC as provided for in Article 6, shall not be required torepeat the common parts of the initial qualification, but rather onlythe parts specific to the new qualification.
Article 6
CPC certifying the initial qualification
1. CPC certifying an initial qualification
(a) CPC awarded on the basis of course attendance and a test
In accordance with Article 3(1)(a)(i), Member States shall require
trainee drivers to attend courses in a training centre approved by the
competent authorities in accordance with section 5 of Annex I,hereinafter referred to as ‘approved training centre ’. These courses
shall cover all the subjects referred to in section 1 of Annex I. Thistraining shall conclude with successful completion of the testprovided for in section 2(2.1) of Annex I. That test shall beorganised by the Member States' competent authorities or anentity designated by them and shall serve to check whether, for2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —7
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the aforementioned subjects, the trainee driver has the level of
knowledge required in section 1 of Annex I. The said authoritiesor entities shall supervise the test and, upon successful completion,issue the drivers with a CPC certifying an initial qualification.
(b) CPC awarded on the basis of tests
In accordance with Article 3(1)(a)(ii), Member States shall require
trainee drivers to pass the theoretical and practical tests referred toin section 2(2.2) of Annex I. These tests shall be organised by theMember States' competent authorities or an entity designated bythem and shall serve to check whether, for all the aforementionedsubjects, the trainee driver has the level of knowledge required in
section 1 of Annex I. The said authorities or entities shall supervise
the tests and, upon successful completion, issue the drivers with aCPC certifying an initial qualification.
2. CPC certifying an accelerated initial qualification
In accordance with Article 3(2), Member States shall require trainee
drivers to attend courses in an approved training centre. Thesecourses shall cover all the subjects referred to in section 1 of Annex I.
This training shall conclude with the test provided for in section 3 of
Annex I. That test shall be organised by the Member States' competentauthorities or an entity designated by them and shall serve to checkwhether, for the aforementioned subjects, the trainee driver has the levelof knowledge required in section 1 of Annex I. The said authorities orentities shall supervise the test and, upon successful completion, issuethe drivers with a CPC certifying an accelerated initial qualification.
Article 7
Periodic training
Periodic training shall consist of training to enable holders of a CPC as
referred to in Article 6 and the drivers referred to in Article 4 to updatethe knowledge which is essential for their work, with specific emphasis
on road safety and the rationalisation of fuel consumption.
This training shall be organised by an approved training centre, in
keeping with section 5 of Annex I. If a driver moves to another under-taking, the periodic training already undergone must be taken intoaccount.
Periodic training shall be designed to expand on, and to revise, some of
the subjects referred in section 1 of Annex I.
Article 8
CPC certifying periodic training
1. When a driver has completed the periodic training referred to in
Article 7, the Member States' competent authorities or the approvedtraining centre shall issue him or her with a CPC certifying periodictraining.
2. The following drivers shall undergo a first course of periodic
training:
(a) holders of a CPC as referred to in Article 6, within five years of the
issue of that CPC;
(b) the drivers referred to in Article 4, within five years of the
respective dates referred to in Article 14(2), in accordance with atimetable decided on by the Member States.
Member States may reduce or extend the periods of time referred to in
(a) and (b), inter alia , so that they coincide with the date of expiry of
the driving licence or so as to ensure the gradual introduction of2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —8
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periodic training. The period may not, however, be shorter than three
years or longer than seven years.
3. A driver who has completed a first course of periodic training as
referred to in paragraph 2 shall undergo periodic training every fiveyears, before the end of the period of validity of the CPC certifyingperiodic training.
4. Holders of the CPC as referred to in Article 6 or the CPC as
referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article and the drivers referred to inArticle 4 who have ceased pursuit of the occupation and do not meet therequirements of paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, shall undergo a course ofperiodic training before resuming pursuit of the occupation.
5. Drivers undertaking the carriage of goods or passengers by road
who have completed courses of periodic training for one of the licencecategories provided for in Article 5(2) and (3) shall be exempt from theobligation to undergo further periodic training for another of the cate-gories provided for in those paragraphs.
Article 9
Place of training
Drivers referred to in Article 1(a) shall obtain the initial qualification
referred to in Article 5 in the Member State in which they have theirnormal residence, as defined in Article 14 of Regulation (EEC)No 3821/85 (
1).
Drivers referred to in Article 1(b) shall obtain that qualification in the
Member State in which the undertaking is established or in the MemberState which issued a work permit to them.
Drivers referred to in Article 1(a) and 1(b) shall undergo the periodic
training referred to in Article 7 in the Member State in which they have
their normal residence or the Member State in which they work.
Article 10
Community code
1. On the basis of the CPC referred to in Article 6 and the CPC
referred to in Article 8(1), Member States' competent authorities shallmark, taking into account the provisions of Article 5(2) and (3) andArticle 8, the Community code provided for in paragraph 2 of thisArticle alongside the corresponding categories of licence:
—either on the driving licence,
—or on the driver qualification card drawn up in accordance with the
model shown in Annex II.
The driver qualification card issued by Member States shall be mutually
recognised. When the card is issued, the competent authorities shallcheck the validity of the driving licence whose number is mentionedon the card.
2. The following Community code shall be added to the list of
harmonised Community codes as laid down in Annexes I and Ia toDirective 91/439/EEC:
‘95. Driver holding a CPC complying with the obligation of profes-
sional competence referred to in Article 3 until …(e.g. 95.
01.01.2012). ’2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —9
(1) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 of 20 December 1985 on recording
equipment in road transport (OJ L 370, 3.12.1985, p. 8); Regulation as lastamended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1360/2002 (OJ L 207,5.8.2002, p. 1).
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3. (a) A driver referred to in Article 1(b) who drives vehicles used for
the carriage of goods by road shall prove that he or she has thequalification and training provided for in this Directive bymeans of the driver's certificate provided for in Regulation(EC) No 484/2002 (
1).
In addition to the certificate, the Member State may issue him
or her with the driver qualification card provided for in AnnexII, marked with the relevant Community code.
(b) A driver referred to in Article 1(b) who drives vehicles used for
the carriage of passengers by road shall prove that he or shehas the qualification and training provided for in this Directiveby means of:
—either the Community code marked on the Community
model driving licence, where he or she is the holder ofsuch a licence, or
—the driver qualification card provided for in Annex II,
marked with the relevant Community code, or
—a national certificate whose validity on their territory is
mutually recognised by the Member States.
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M3
Article 11
Adaptation to scientific and technical progress
Adaptations of Annexes I and II to scientific and technical progress,
designed to amend non-essential elements of this Directive, shall be
adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutinyreferred to in Article 12(2).
Article 12
Committee procedure
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.
2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and
Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to theprovisions of Article 8 thereof.
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Article 13
Report
Before 10 September 2011 the Commission shall submit to the
European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and SocialCommittee and the Committee of the Regions a report making an initialevaluation of the implementation of this Directive, in particular withregard to the equivalence of the various initial qualification systemsprovided for in Article 3, and the efficiency thereof in achieving thetarget level of qualification. The report shall be accompanied by appro-priate proposals, if necessary.
Article 14
Transposition and implementation
1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and
administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —10
(1) Regulation (EC) No 484/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council
of 1 March 2002 amending Council Regulations (EEC) No 881/92 and (EEC)No 3118/93 for the purposes of establishing a driver attestation (OJ L 76,19.3.2002, p. 1).
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before 10 September 2006. They shall forthwith inform the Commission
thereof.
When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a
reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such referenceon the occasion of their official publication. The methods of makingsuch reference shall be laid down by Member States.
2. Member States shall apply these measures:—from 10 September 2008 as regards the initial qualification required
to drive vehicles in licence categories D1, D1+E, D and D+E;
—from 10 September 2009 as regards the initial qualification required
to drive vehicles in licence categories C1, C1+E, C and C+E.
Member States shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof and shall
assist each other in applying these measures.
Article 15
Repeal
1. Article 5 of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 is hereby amended as
follows:
(a) paragraph 1 shall be repealed with effect from 10 September 2009.
(b) paragraphs 2 and 4 shall be repealed with effect from 10 September
2008.
2. Directive 76/914/EEC shall be repealed with effect from
10 September 2009.
3. The laws, regulations and administrative provisions adopted to
comply with Directive 76/914/EEC shall cease to apply:
—from 10 September 2008 to drivers of vehicles for the carriage of
passengers by road,
—from 10 September 2009 to drivers of vehicles for the carriage of
goods by road.
Article 16
Entry into force
This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the
Official Journal of the European Union .
Article 17
Addressees
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —11
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ANNEX I
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Section 1: List of subjects
The knowledge to be taken into account by Member States when establishing the
driver's initial qualification and periodic training must include at least the subjects
in this list. Trainee drivers must reach the level of knowledge and practicalcompetence necessary to drive in all safety vehicles of the relevant licencecategory.
The minimum level of knowledge may not be less than level 2 of the training-
level structure provided for in Annex I to Decision 85/368/EEC (
1), i.e. the level
reached during compulsory education, supplemented by professional training.
1. Advanced training in rational driving based on safety regulations
All licences
1.1. Objective: to know the characteristics of the transmission system in order to
make the best possible use of it:
curves relating to torque, power, and specific consumption of an engine,
area of optimum use of revolution counter, gearbox-ratio cover diagrams.
1.2. Objective: to know the technical characteristics and operation of the safety
controls in order to control the vehicle, minimise wear and tear and preventdisfunctioning:
specific features of hydraulic vacuum servobrake circuit, limits to the use of
brakes and retarder, combined use of brakes and retarder, making better use
of speed and gear ratio, making use of vehicle inertia, using ways of
slowing down and braking on downhill stretches, action in the event offailure.
1.3. Objective: ability to optimise fuel consumption:
optimisation of fuel consumption by applying know-how as regards points
1.1 and 1.2.
Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E
1.4. Objective: ability to load the vehicle with due regard for safety rules and
proper vehicle use:
forces affecting vehicles in motion, use of gearbox ratios according to
vehicle load and road profile, calculation of payload of vehicle or
assembly, calculation of total volume, load distribution, consequences of
overloading the axle, vehicle stability and centre of gravity, types ofpackaging and pallets;
main categories of goods needing securing, clamping and securing tech-
niques, use of securing straps, checking of securing devices, use ofhandling equipment, placing and removal of tarpaulins.
Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E
1.5. Objective: ability to ensure passenger comfort and safety:
adjusting longitudinal and sideways movements, road sharing, position on
the road, smooth breaking, overhang operation, using specific infrastructures
(public areas, dedicated lanes), managing conflicts between safe driving andother roles as a driver, interacting with passengers, peculiarities of certaingroups of passengers (disabled persons, children).
1.6. Objective: ability to load the vehicle with due regard for safety rules and
proper vehicle use:
forces affecting vehicles in motion, use of gearbox-ratios according to
vehicle load and road profile, calculation of payload of vehicle orassembly, load distribution, consequences of overloading the axle, vehicle
stability and centre of gravity.2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —12
(1) Council Decision 85/368/EEC of 16 July 1985 on the comparability of vocational
training qualifications between the Member States of the European Community (OJ
L 199, 31.7.1985, p. 56).
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2. Application of regulations
All licences
2.1. Objective: to know the social environment of road transport and the rules
governing it:
maximum working periods specific to the transport industry; principles,
application and consequences of Regulations (EEC) No 3820/85 and
(EEC) No 3821/85; penalties for failure to use, improper use of andtampering with the tachograph; knowledge of the social environment ofroad transport: rights and duties of drivers as regards initial qualification
and periodic training.
Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E
2.2. Objective: to know the regulations governing the carriage of goods:
transport operating licences, obligations under standard contracts for the
carriage of goods, drafting of documents which form the transport
contract, international transport permits, obligations under the Convention
on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road, drafting ofthe international consignment note, crossing borders, freight forwarders,special documents accompanying goods.
Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E
2.3. Objective: to know the regulations governing the carriage of passengers:
carriage of specific groups of passengers, safety equipment on board buses,
safety belts, vehicle load.
3. Health, road and environmental safety, service, logistics
All licences
3.1. Objective: to make drivers aware of the risks of the road and of accidents at
work:
types of accidents at work in the transport sector, road accident statistics,
involvement of lorries/coaches, human, material and financial consequences.
3.2. Objective: ability to prevent criminality and trafficking in illegal immigrants:
general information, implications for drivers, preventive measures, check
list, legislation on transport operator liability.
3.3. Objective: ability to prevent physical risks:
ergonomic principles; movements and postures which pose a risk, physical
fitness, handling exercises, personal protection.
3.4. Objective: awareness of the importance of physical and mental ability:
principles of healthy, balanced eating, effects of alcohol, drugs or any other
substance likely to affect behaviour, symptoms, causes, effects of fatigue
and stress, fundamental role of the basic work/rest cycle.
3.5. Objective: ability to assess emergency situations:
behaviour in an emergency situation: assessment of the situation, avoiding
complications of an accident, summoning assistance, assisting casualties and
giving first aid, reaction in the event of fire, evacuation of occupants of a
lorry/bus passengers, ensuring the safety of all passengers, reaction in theevent of aggression; basic principles for the drafting of an accident report.
3.6. Objective: ability to adopt behaviour to help enhance the image of the
company:
behaviour of the driver and company image: importance for the company of
the standard of service provided by the driver, the roles of the driver, peoplewith whom the driver will be dealing, vehicle maintenance, work organi-
sation, commercial and financial effects of a dispute.
Licences C, C+E, C1, C1+E
3.7. Objective: to know the economic environment of road haulage and the
organisation of the market:
road transport in relation to other modes of transport (competition, shippers),
different road transport activities (transport for hire or reward, own account,
auxiliary transport activities), organisation of the main types of transport2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —13
▼B
company and auxiliary transport activities, different transport specialisations
(road tanker, controlled temperature, etc.), changes in the industry (diversi-
fication of services provided, rail-road, subcontracting, etc.).
Licences D, D+E, D1, D1+E
3.8. Objective: to know the economic environment of the carriage of passengers
by road and the organisation of the market:
carriage of passengers by road in relation to other modes of passenger
transport (rail, private car), different activities involving the carriage of
passengers by road, crossing borders (international transport), organisationof the main types of companies for the carriage of passengers by road.
Section 2: Compulsory initial qualification provided for in Article 3(1)(a)
2.1. Option combining both course attendance and a test
Initial qualification must include the teaching of all subjects in the list under
section 1. The duration of this initial qualification must be 280 hours.
Each trainee driver must drive for at least 20 hours individually in a vehicle
of the category concerned which meets at least the requirements for testvehicles as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC.
When driving individually, the trainee driver must be accompanied by an
instructor, employed by an approved training centre. Each driver may drive
for a maximum of eight hours of the 20 hours of individual driving on
special terrain or on a top-of-the-range simulator so as to assess training inrational driving based on safety regulations, in particular with regard tovehicle handling in different road conditions and the way they change
with different atmospheric conditions and the time of day or night.
For the drivers referred to in Article 5(5) the length of the initial qualifi-
cation must be 70 hours, including five hours of individual driving.
At the end of that training, Member States' competent authorities or the
entity designated by them shall give the driver a written or oral test. The
test must include at least one question on each of the objectives in the list of
subjects under section 1.
2.2. Option involving a test
Member States' competent authorities or the entity designated by them shall
organise the aforementioned theoretical and practical tests to check whetherthe trainee driver has the level of knowledge required in section 1 for thesubjects and objectives listed there.
(a) The theoretical test shall consist of at least two parts:
(i) questions including multiple-choice questions, questions requiring a
direct answer, or a combination of both;
(ii) case studies.
The minimum duration of the theoretical test must be four hours.
(b) The practical test shall consist of two parts:
(i) a driving test aimed at assessing training in rational driving based
on safety regulations. The test must take place, whenever possible,
on roads outside built-up areas, on fast roads and on motorways (orsimilar), and on all kinds of urban highways presenting thedifferent types of difficulties that a driver is liable to encounter.
It would be desirable for this test to take place in different traffic
density conditions. The driving time on the road must be usedoptimally in order to assess the candidate in all traffic areaslikely to be encountered. The minimum duration of this test must
be 90 minutes;
(ii) a practical test covering at least points 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 3.2, 3.3
and 3.5.
The minimum duration of this test must be 30 minutes.
The vehicle used for the practical test must meet at least the
requirements for test vehicles as defined in Directive 91/439/EEC.
The practical test may be supplemented by a third test taking place on
special terrain or on a top-of-the-range simulator so as to assess2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —14
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training in rational driving based on safety regulations, in particular
with regard to vehicle handling in different road conditions and the
way they change with different atmospheric conditions and the time ofday or night.
The duration of this optional test is not fixed. Should the driver
undergo such a test, its duration may be deducted from the
90 minutes of the driving test referred to under (i), but the time
deducted may not exceed 30 minutes.
For the drivers referred to in Article 5(5), the theoretical test must be
limited to the subjects, referred to in section 1, which are relevant to
the vehicles to which the new initial qualification applies. However,
such drivers must undergo the whole practical test.
Section 3: Accelerated initial qualification provided for in Article 3(2)
Accelerated initial qualification must include the teaching of all subjects in the
list in section 1. Its duration must be 140 hours.
Each trainee must drive for at least 10 hours individually in a vehicle of the
category concerned which meets at least the requirements for test vehicles asdefined in Directive 91/439/EEC.
When driving individually, the trainee driver must be accompanied by an
instructor, employed by an approved training centre. Each driver may drive fora maximum of four hours of the 10 hours of individual driving on special terrainor on a top-of-the-range simulator so as to assess training in rational driving
based on safety regulations, in particular with regard to vehicle handling in
different road conditions and the way they change with different atmosphericconditions and the time of day or night.
For the drivers referred to in Article 5(5) the length of the accelerated initial
qualification must be 35 hours, including two-and-a-half hours of individual
driving.
At the end of that training, Member States' competent authorities or the entity
designated by them shall give the driver a written or oral test. The test mustinclude at least one question on each of the objectives in the list of subjects
under section 1.
Section 4: Compulsory periodic training provided for in Article 3(1)(b)
Compulsory periodic training courses must be organised by an approved training
centre. Their duration must be of 35 hours every five years, given in periods of at
least seven hours. Such periodic training may be provided, in part, on top-of-the-
range simulators.
Section 5: Approval of the initial qualification and periodic training
5.1. The training centres taking part in the initial qualification and periodic
training must be approved by the Member States' competent authorities.
Approval may be given only in response to a written application. The
application must be accompanied by documents including:
5.1.1. a suitable qualification and training programme specifying the
subjects taught and setting out the proposed implementing plan
and teaching methods;
5.1.2. the instructors' qualifications and fields of activity;5.1.3. information about the premises where the courses are given, the
teaching materials, the resources made available for the practical
work, and the vehicle fleet used;
5.1.4. the conditions regarding participation in the courses (number of
participants).
5.2. The competent authority must give approval in writing subject to the
following conditions:
5.2.1. the training must be given in accordance with the documents accom-
panying the application;
5.2.2. the competent authority must be entitled to send authorised persons
to assist in the training courses of the approved centres, and must be
entitled to monitor such centres, with regard to the resources used
and the proper running of the training courses and tests;2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —15
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5.2.3. the approval may be withdrawn or suspended if the conditions of
approval are no longer complied with.
The approved centre must guarantee that the instructors have a
sound knowledge of the most recent regulations and trainingrequirements. As part of a specific selection procedure, theinstructors must provide certification showing a knowledge of both
the subject material and teaching methods. As regards the practical
part of the training, instructors must provide certification ofexperience as professional drivers or similar driving experience,such as that of driving instructors for heavy vehicles.
The programme of instruction must be in accordance with the
approval and must cover the subjects in the list in section 1.2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —16
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ANNEX II
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES MODEL
FOR A DRIVER QUALIFICATION CARD
1.The physical characteristics of the card must comply with ISO standards
7810 and 7816-1.
The methods for verifying the physical characteristics of the card to ensure
that they are consistent with international standards must comply with ISO
standard 10373.
2.The card has two sides:
side 1 contains:
(a) the heading ‘driver qualification card ’printed in large type in the official
language or languages of the Member State issuing the card;
(b) the name of the Member State issuing the card (optional);
(c)►M1 the distinguishing sign of the Member State issuing the card,
printed in negative in a blue rectangle and encircled by 12 yellow
stars; the distinguishing signs are as follows:
B: Belgium
▼M2
BG: Bulgaria
▼M1
CZ: Czech RepublicDK: DenmarkD: GermanyEST: EstoniaGR: Greece
E: Spain
F: FranceIRL: IrelandI: ItalyCY: Cyprus
LV: Latvia
LT: LithuaniaL: LuxembourgH: HungaryM: MaltaNL: Netherlands
A: Austria
PL: PolandP: Portugal
▼M2
RO: Romania
▼M1
SLO: Slovenia
SK: Slovakia
FIN: Finland
S: Sweden
UK: United Kingdom; ◄2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —17
▼B
(d) information specific to the card, numbered as follows:
1. surname of the holder;
2. first name of the holder;3. date and place of birth of the holder;
4. (a) date of issue;
(b) date of expiry;
(c) the name of the issuing authority (may be printed on side 2);
(d) a different number from the driving licence number for adminis-
trative purposes (optional);
5. (a) driving licence number;
(b) serial number;
6. photograph of the holder;7. signature of the holder;
8. normal place of residence, or postal address of the holder (optional);
9. the (sub)categories of vehicles for which the driver satisfies the initial
qualification and periodic training requirements;
(e)►
M1 the title ‘European Communities model ’in the language or
languages of the Member State issuing the card and the heading ‘driver
qualification card ’in the other official languages of the Community,
printed in blue so as to form the background to the card:
tarjeta de cualificación del conductor
▼M2
карта за квалификация на водача
▼M1
Osv ědčení profesní zp ůsobilosti řidiče
chaufføruddannelsesbevis
Fahrerqualifizierungsnachweisjuhi ametipädevuse kaartδελτίο επιμόρφωσης οδηγού
driver qualification card
carte de qualification de conducteurcárta cáilíochta tiománacarta di qualificazione del conducente
vadītāja kvalifik ācijas apliec ība
vairuotojo kvalifikacin ėkortel ė
gépjárm űvezet ői képesítési igazolvány
karta ta ’kwalifikazzjoni tas-sewwieq
kwalificatiekaart bestuurder
karta kwalifikacji kierowcycarta de qualificação do motorista
▼M2
Cartela de preg ătire profesional ăa conduc ătorului auto
▼M1
preukaz o kvalifikácii vodi ča
kartica o usposobljenosti voznika
kuljettajan ammattipätevyyskorttiyrkeskompetensbevis för förare; ◄2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —18
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(f) the reference colours:
—blue: Pantone Reflex blue,
—yellow: Pantone yellow;
side 2 contains:
(a) 9. the (sub)categories of vehicles for which the driver satisfies the initial
qualification and periodic training requirements;
10. the Community code provided for in Article 10 of this Directive;
11. a space reserved for the possible entry by the Member State issuing
the card of essential administrative details or details relating to road
safety (optional). If the details relate to a heading set out in this
Annex, such details must be preceded by the correspondingheading number;
(b) an explanation of the numbered entries appearing on sides 1 and 2 of the
card (at least headings 1, 2, 3, 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 5(a), 5(b) and 10).
▼M2
If a Member State wishes to word these entries in a national languageother than one of the following languages: Bulgarian, Spanish, Czech,
Danish, German, Estonian, Greek, English, French, Italian, Latvian,
Lithuanian, Hungarian, Maltese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian,Slovak, Slovenian, Finnish and Swedish, it shall draw up a bilingual
version of the card using one of the abovementioned languages,
without prejudice to the other provisions of this Annex.
▼B
3.Security, including data protection
The aim of the various constituent parts of the card is to rule out any forgery
or tampering and to detect any attempts to do so.
The Member State must ensure that the level of security of the card is at least
comparable to the level of security of the driving licence.
4.Particular arrangements
After consulting the Commission, Member States may add colours or
markings, such as a bar code, national symbols and security features,
without prejudice to the other provisions of this Annex.
In connection with the mutual recognition of cards, the bar code may not
contain any information other than that already legibly appearing on the driver
qualification card or which is essential for the card-issuing process.2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —19
▼B
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES MODEL FOR A DRIVER QUALIFI-
CATION CARD
2003L0059 —EN—11.12.2008 —003.001 —20