COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMVIUNITIES 
C0M(94) 429 final 
Brussels, 24.10.1994 
Proposal for a 
COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 
amending Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences ÎS 
(presented by the Commission) 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
I. Background 
Directive 91/439/EEC1 introduces a national driving licence based on a Community 
model (Article 1(1) of the Directive) and foresees that driving licences issued by 
Member States shall be mutually recognized (Article 1(2)). The Community model 
shall be pink, with specified dimensions and shall consist of six pages. 
The model of driving licences issued in Norway, Finland and Sweden differs largely 
from the Community model as they consist of plastified, "identity card" type 
documents. 
II. Enlargement of the Community 
3. Norway requested a derogation from article 1(1) of Directive 91/439/EEC on grounds 
of a possible modification of the Community model in the forthcoming years, that 
could entail the introduction of an alternative Community model licence in a plastic 
"credit card" format. 
The following provision was introduced in the Act of Accession: 
«The Kingdom of Norway may continue to issue its present driving licence model in 
derogation from Article 1(1) until 31 December 1997. At the end of that period the 
Kingdom of Norway shall apply the "acquis communautaire" existing at that time 
regarding driving licences.»2 
4. Finland introduced a similar request in the late stages of the accession negotiations. 
Given the tight schedule for completing the negotiations and finalising the draft Act 
of Accession with a view to presenting it to the European Parliament for assent, it 
was not possible to introduce a derogation to Directive 91/439/EEC for Finland in its 
provisions, but it was agreed to address the issue in the Interim Period3. 
5. Sweden also indicated a similar problem. Given the similar situation prevailing in the 
two countries, the Commission considers that the case of Sweden should be treated 
similarly to the one of Finland. 
6. Given the similarity of the model of driving licences issued in Norway, Finland and 
Sweden, the Commission is forwarding to the Council the attached proposal for a 
Directive amending Directive 91/439/EEC with a view to granting Finland and 
Sweden a similar derogation to that granted to Norway. 
1 OJ No.L 237, 24.8.1991, p.l. 
2 
3 OJ No. C 241, 29.8.1994, p. 324 
Doc. CONF 8/94 General, 12 April 1994-IV n*l. 
A 
Council Directive 94/..../E C 
amending Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, 
Having regard to the Act of Accession of Norway, Austria, Finland and Sweden1, and in 
particular Article 169 thereof; 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission2; 
Whereas Norway was, pursuant to Article 151 and Annex XV of the Act of Accession, 
granted a derogation to Directive 91/439/EEC3 regarding the model of driving license; 
Whereas driving licenses in Finland and Sweden, as in Norway, consist of plastified cards; 
whereas, pending consideration of a new Community model, Finland and Sweden should also 
be authorised to maintain their present driving licence model until 31 December 1997; 
Whereas pursuant to the accession of Finland and Sweden, Directive 91/439/EEC should be 
amended so as to provide for these two countries the same derogation as Norway was granted 
in the Accession Act; 
Whereas by virtue of Article 2(3) of the Treaty of Accession, the Institutions of the European 
Community may adopt, before accession, the measures pursuant to article 169 of the Act, 
such measures entering into force subject to, and on the date of entry into force of, the said 
Treaty; 
1 OJ No. C 241, 29.8.1994. 
2 COM (94) ... 
3 OJ No. L 237, 24.8.1991, p.l. 
«À&*. 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE 
Article 1 
In Article 1 (1) of Directive 91/439/EEC, the following phrase shall be added : 
"However, Finland and Sweden may continue to issue driving licences based on their present 
model until 31 December 1997." 
Article 2 
This Directive shall enter into force subject to, and on the date of, the entry into force of the 
Treaty of Accession of Norway, Austria, Finland and Sweden. 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 1994, 
For the Council 
The President 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM (94) 429 final 
DOCUMENTS 
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Catalogue number : CB-CO-94-453-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-81082-3 
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