[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |

Brussels, 18.12.2006

COM(2006) 859 final

2003/0252 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on driving licences (Recast)

AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSIONpursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty

2003/0252 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a

DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on driving licences (Recast)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1. INTRODUCTION

Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty requires the Commission to deliver an opinion on amendments proposed by the European Parliament at second reading. The Commission sets out its opinion below on the amendments proposed by Parliament.

2. BACKGROUND

Date of transmission of the proposal to the EP and the Council (COM(2003) 621 –2003/0252(COD)): | 3 December 2003 |

Date of the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee: | 31 March 2004 |

Date of the opinion of the European Parliament, first reading: | 23 February 2005 |

Date of adoption of the common position by qualified majority: | 18 September 2006 |

Date of the opinion of the European Parliament, second reading | 14 December 2006 |

3. PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSAL

On 21 October 2003, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive on driving licences, which is a proposal to recast and therefore replace Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences and its successive amendments[1]. The three main objectives of the proposal are as follows:

(1) to reduce the possibilities of fraud: elimination of the possibility of issuing a paper driving licence model in favour of a plastic card model only; possibility of introducing a microchip on the driving licence; introduction of limited administrative validity for all new licences issued from the date of application of the proposal;

(2) to guarantee the free movement of citizens by means of introducing limited administrative validity and by harmonising the frequency of medical checks for professional drivers;

(3) to contribute to improving road safety: introduction of a driving licence for mopeds; extension of the principle of progressive access to driving licences for the most powerful types of vehicles; introduction of minimum requirements for the initial qualification and periodic training of driving examiners; confirmation of the principle of holding a single driving licence (one holder - one licence).

4. OPINION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE PARLIAMENT

The Commission can accept all the amendments adopted by the European Parliament in second reading. They intend to bring the new Directive on driving licences in line with the Council Decision of 17 July 2006 amending Decision 1999/468/EC laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.

5. CONCLUSION

Pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty, the Commission amends its proposal as set out above.

[1] Council Directive 91/439/EEC of 29 July 1991 on driving licences, OJ L 237 of 24 August 1991, p.1, as last amended by Commission Directive 2000/56/EC of 14 September 2000, OJ L 237 of 21 September 2000, p.45.