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
Date: 2003-07-15
Institutions: Council of the European Union, European Parliament
Subjects: carriage of goods, carriage of passengers, continuing vocational training, drivers, professional qualifications, road transport

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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, amending Council 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)

(2)

Article 5(1), (2) and (4) of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/
85 (4) provides
that certain drivers engaged in the
carriage of goods or passengers by road must, depending
on their age, on the category of vehicle used and on the
distance to be travelled, hold a certificate of professional
competence in conformity with Community rules on the
minimum level of
training for some road transport
drivers. That minimum level is determined by Directive
76/914/EEC (5).

Given that the provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/
85 apply to 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 on Community territory are carrying out
their profession solely on the basis of a driving licence.

(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 C 32 E, 11.2.2003, p. 9) and Decision of the European
Parliament of 8 April 2003 (not yet published in the Official
Journal). Decision of the Council of 13 June 2003.

(4) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 of 20 December 1985 on
the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road trans-
port (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).

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

To enable drivers to meet the new demands arising from
the development of the road transport market, Commu-
nity rules should be made applicable to all drivers,
whether they drive as self-employed or salaried workers,
and whether on own account or for hire or reward.

The establishment of new Community rules is aimed at
ensuring that, by means of his or her qualification, the
driver is of a standard to have access to and carry out
the activity of driving.

More particularly, the obligation to hold an initial quali-
fication and to undergo periodic training is intended to
improve road safety and the safety of
the driver,
including during operations carried out by the driver
while the vehicle is stopped. Furthermore, the modern
nature of the profession of driver should arouse young
people's interest in the profession, contributing to the
recruitment of new drivers at a time of shortage.

To avoid unequal conditions of competition, this Direc-
tive should apply to the activity of driving both by the
nationals of a Member State and by nationals of third
countries who are employed or used by an undertaking
established in a Member State.

In order to establish that the driver complies with his or
her obligations, Member States should issue the driver
with a certificate of professional competence, hereinafter
referred to as ‘CPC’, certifying his or her initial qualifica-
tion or periodic training.

Given the differences between current systems in certain
Member States, Member States should be able to choose
between several options so as to facilitate the implemen-
tation of the provisions relating to the initial qualifica-
tion.

In order to maintain their qualification of driver, existing
drivers should be obliged to undergo periodic retraining
in the skills essential for their profession.

(10)

The minimum requirements to be met for the initial
qualification and the periodic training concern the safety
rules to be observed when 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 on the road transport sector itself.

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(11)

This Directive should not affect the rights acquired by a
driver who 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 the periodic training.

(12) Only training centres which have been approved by the
competent authorities of the Member States should be
able to organise the training courses laid down for the
initial qualification and the periodic training. To ensure
the quality of these approved centres, the competent
authorities
their
approval including that of a well-established high level
of professionalism.

should set harmonised criteria for

(17)

(18)

Community code determining the date until which a
driver fulfils the professional skills requirement, whether
this is an initial qualification or periodic training.

Special certification provisions should be laid down for
drivers covered by this Directive who are nationals of
third countries.

The Commission should monitor the implementation of
this Directive, particularly given the different
initial
qualification systems which it lays down, and should
submit a report on this subject to the European Parlia-
ment, the Council, the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

(13) Not only the competent authorities of the Member States
but also any entity designated by them should be
responsible for organising the tests provided for in
connection with the initial qualification and the periodic
training. Given the importance of this Directive for road
safety and for the equality of conditions of competition,
the competent authorities of the Member States should
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 of the CPC certifying the initial
qualification or the expiry date of the time limit set for
certain drivers to claim their acquired rights. It should
also be possible for these time limits to be shortened or
extended. Following the first periodic training, the driver
should undergo periodic training every five years.

(15)

To certify that a driver who is a national of a Member
State is the holder of one of the CPCs provided for by
this Directive, and to facilitate mutual recognition of the
various CPCs, Member States should affix the harmo-
nised Community code laid down for that purpose,
together with the code's expiry date, either to the driving
licence or to the new driver qualification card, to be
mutually recognised by Member States, the harmonised
model of which is laid down by this Directive. This card
the same security requirements as the
should meet
driving licence, given the importance of the rights which
it confers for road safety and the equality of conditions
of competition. The possibility afforded to Member
States to affix the Community code on the new card
should enable them to lay down a period of validity for
driving licences which does not coincide with the date
of expiry of the validity 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 so as to add to the list of harmonised codes
the new
and sub-codes

in those Annexes

set out

(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 Commis-
sion Directive 2000/56/EC (OJ L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 45).

(19) Given the significant number of drivers covered by this
Directive, the provisions relating to the initial qualifica-
tion should be applied in two stages, depending on
whether the carriage of passengers or the carriage of
goods is involved. The phased application of this Direc-
tive as regards the initial qualification for drivers of vehi-
cles engaged in the carriage of goods and passengers
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 of 28 June 1999 laying down the proce-
dures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred
on the Commission (2).

(21)

To take account of the application on two different dates
of the provisions relating to the initial qualification, the
relevant provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 as
well as Directive 76/914/EEC should be repealed.

(22) However, it is desirable, in order to respect the principles
of Community law, that drivers of vehicles used to carry
out transport where this is considered to have a lesser
impact on road 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
establishment of a Community-wide standard for initial
qualification and periodic training, cannot be sufficiently
achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by
the proposed
reason of
the scale and the effects of
action, be better achieved at Community level,
the
Community may adopt measures in accordance with the
principle of subsidiarity set out
the
Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportion-
ality as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go
beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objec-
tive,

in Article 5 of

(2) OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

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HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

(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 is not the driver's principal activity.

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 undertaking 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
licence recognised 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
licence recognised 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
maintaining public order;

(c) vehicles undergoing road tests for technical development,
repair or maintenance purposes, or of new or rebuilt vehi-
cles 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 in Article 6 and Article 8(1);

(f) vehicles used for non-commercial carriage of passengers or

goods, for personal use;

Article 3

Qualification and training

The activity of driving as defined in Article 1 shall be
1.
subject to a compulsory initial qualification and compulsory
periodic training. To this 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 a specific period. It shall conclude with a
test. Upon successful completion of the test, the qualifi-
cation shall be certified by a CPC as provided for in
Article 6(1)(a);

(ii) option involving only tests

initial qualification does not

In accordance with section 2(2.2) of Annex I, this type
of
involve compulsory
course attendance but only theoretical and practical
tests. Upon successful completion of the tests, the quali-
fication shall be certified by a CPC as provided 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 a national vocational training course of at
least six months, for a maximum period of three years. In
the context of this vocational training course, the tests
referred to in points (i) and (ii) may be completed 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 as provided for in Article 8(1).

2. Member States may also provide for a system of acceler-
ated initial qualification so that a driver may drive in the cases
referred to in Article 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
qualification shall
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).

involve compulsory course attendance.

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3. Member States may exempt drivers who have obtained
the certificate 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 corresponding thereto.

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 after the 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 years after the final date for the transposition of this
Directive.

Article 5

Initial qualification

Access to an initial qualification shall not require the

1.
corresponding driving licence to be obtained beforehand.

Drivers of a vehicle intended for the carriage of goods

2.
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).

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 as referred 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
territory from the age of 20,
vehicles within its
provided they hold a CPC as referred to in Article 6(1).
This may be reduced to the age of 18 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
provided for in Article 6 for one of the categories provided for
in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be exempted from obtaining
such a CPC for any other of the categories of vehicles referred
to in that paragraph.

These provisions shall apply under the same conditions to
drivers undertaking 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 who hold a CPC as provided for in Article 6, shall
not be required to repeat the common parts of the initial quali-
fication, but rather only the parts specific to the new qualifica-
tion.

Article 6

CPC certifying the initial qualification

1.

CPC certifying an initial qualification

Drivers of a vehicle intended for the carriage of passen-

3.
gers may drive:

(a) CPC awarded on the basis of course attendance and a test

(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 kilometres and a vehicle in licence categories
D1 and D1+E, provided they hold a CPC as referred to
in Article 6(2).

(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 mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates and other
evidence of formal qualifications 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).

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. This training shall
conclude with successful completion of the test provided
for in section 2(2.1) of Annex I. That test shall be organised
by the Member States' competent authorities or an entity
designated by them and shall serve to check whether, for
the aforementioned subjects, the trainee driver has the level
of knowledge required in section 1 of Annex I. The said
authorities or entities shall supervise the test and, upon
successful completion, issue the drivers with a CPC certi-
fying an initial qualification.

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(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 to in section 2(2.2) of Annex I. These tests
shall be organised by the Member States' competent autho-
rities or an entity designated by them and shall serve to
check whether,
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 a CPC certifying an initial qualification.

for all the aforementioned subjects,

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.
These courses 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' competent authorities or an entity designated
by them and shall serve to check whether, for the aforemen-
tioned subjects, the trainee driver has the level of knowledge
required in section 1 of Annex I. The said authorities or entities
shall supervise the test and, upon successful completion, issue
the drivers with a CPC certifying an accelerated initial qualifica-
tion.

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 update the knowledge which is essential for their
work, with specific emphasis on road safety and the rationalisa-
tion 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 undertaking, the periodic training already undergone
must be taken into account.

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

The following drivers shall undergo a first course of peri-

2.
odic 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 a timetable 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 of periodic training. The period may not,
however, be shorter than three years or longer than seven
years.

A driver who has completed a first course of periodic
3.
training as referred to in paragraph 2 shall undergo periodic
training every five years, before the end of the period of validity
of the CPC certifying periodic 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 in Article 4 who have ceased pursuit of the occupa-
tion and do not meet the requirements of paragraphs 1, 2 and
3, shall undergo a course of periodic training before resuming
pursuit of the occupation.

Drivers undertaking the carriage of goods or passengers
5.
by road who have completed courses of periodic training for
one of the licence categories provided for in Article 5(2) and
(3) shall be exempt from the obligation to undergo further peri-
odic training for another of the categories provided for in those
paragraphs.

Article 9

Place of training

Drivers referred to in Article 1(a) shall obtain the initial qualifi-
cation referred to in Article 5 in the Member State in which
they have their normal 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 Member State 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.

1. When a driver has completed the periodic training
referred to in Article 7, the Member States' competent authori-
ties or the approved training centre shall issue him or her with
a CPC certifying periodic training.

(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 last amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No
1360/2002 (OJ L 207, 5.8.2002, p. 1).

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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 shall mark, taking into account the provisions of
the Community code
Article 5(2) and (3) and Article 8,
provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article alongside the corre-
sponding 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 shall check the validity of the driving licence whose
number is mentioned on 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 to Directive 91/439/EEC:

‘95. Driver holding a CPC complying with the obligation
of professional competence referred to in Article 3
until … (e.g. 95. 01.01.2012).’

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 the qualification and training provided for
in this Directive by means 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 Annex II, 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
the qualification and training
that he or
provided for in this Directive by means of:

she has

— either the Community code marked on the Commu-
nity model driving licence, where he or she is the
holder of such 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.

(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).

Article 11

Adaptation to scientific and technical progress

The amendments necessary to adapt Annexes I and II to scien-
tific and technical progress shall be adopted in accordance with
the procedure laid down 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, Articles 5 and
7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply having regard to Article
8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC
shall be set at three months.

3.

The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

Article 13

Report

Before 10 September 2011 the Commission shall submit to the
European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and
Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a report
making an initial evaluation of the implementation of this
Directive, in particular with regard to the equivalence of the
various initial qualification systems provided for in Article 3,
and the efficiency thereof in achieving the target level of quali-
fication. The report shall be accompanied by appropriate
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
forthwith
Directive before 10 September 2006. They shall
inform the Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain
a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such
reference on the occasion of their official publication. The
methods of making such 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.

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Article 15

Repeal

Article 16

Entry into force

Article 5 of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 is hereby

1.
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.

Directive 76/914/EEC shall be repealed with effect from

2.
10 September 2009.

This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publica-
tion in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 17

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

The

laws,

3.
and administrative provisions
adopted to comply with Directive 76/914/EEC shall cease to
apply:

regulations

Done at Brussels, 15 July 2003.

— 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.

For the European Parliament

The President

P. COX

For the Council

The President

G. TREMONTI

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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
practical competence necessary to drive in all safety vehicles of the relevant licence category.

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

A l l l i c e nc e s

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 prevent disfunctioning:

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 of failure.

1.3. Objective: ability to optimise fuel consumption:

optimisation of fuel consumption by applying know-how as regards points 1.1 and 1.2.

L i ce nc e s 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 of packaging and pallets;

main categories of goods needing securing, clamping and securing techniques, use of securing straps, checking of
securing devices, use of handling equipment, placing and removal of tarpaulins.

L i ce nc e s 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
and other roles as a driver, interacting with passengers, peculiarities of certain groups 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 or assembly, load distribution, consequences of overloading the axle, vehicle stability and
centre of gravity.

(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

A l l l i c e nc e s

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 Regula-
tions (EEC) No 3820/85 and (EEC) No 3821/85; penalties for failure to use, improper use of and tampering with
the tachograph; knowledge of the social environment of road transport: rights and duties of drivers as regards
initial qualification and periodic training.

L i ce nc e s 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 of the international consignment note, crossing
borders, freight forwarders, special documents accompanying goods.

L i ce nc e s 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

A l l l i c e nc e s

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 occu-
pants of a lorry/bus passengers, ensuring the safety of all passengers, reaction in the event 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, people with whom the driver will be dealing, vehicle maintenance, work organi-
sation, commercial and financial effects of a dispute.

L i ce nc e s 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 trans-
transport specialisations (road tanker, controlled
port company and auxiliary transport activities, different
temperature, etc.), changes in the industry (diversification of services provided, rail-road, subcontracting, etc.).

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L i ce nc e s 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 activ-
ities involving the carriage of passengers by road, crossing borders (international transport), organisation of 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 test vehicles 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 in rational driving based on safety regu-
lations, in particular with regard to vehicle 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 qualification 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 theore-
tical and practical tests to check whether the trainee driver has the level of knowledge required in section 1 for
the subjects 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 (or similar),
and on all kinds of urban highways presenting the different 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 used optimally in order to assess the candidate in all traffic areas likely
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 Direc-
tive 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 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 atmospheric conditions
and the time of day 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.

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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 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 four hours of the 10 hours of individual driving on special terrain or
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 atmospheric conditions
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 must include 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 accompanying 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;

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 regula-
tions and training requirements. As part of a specific selection procedure, the instructors must provide certi-
fication showing a knowledge of both the subject material and teaching methods. As regards the practical
part of the training, instructors must provide certification of experience 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.

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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) 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

DK: Denmark

D: Germany

GR: Greece

E:

F:

Spain

France

IRL: Ireland

I:

L:

Italy

Luxembourg

NL: The Netherlands

A: Austria

P:

Portugal

FIN: Finland

S:

Sweden

UK: United Kingdom;

(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 administrative 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;

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(e) 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

chaufføruddannelsesbevis

Fahrerqualifizierungsnachweis
δελτίο επιµόρφωσης οδηγού

driver qualification card

carte de qualification de conducteur

cárta cáilíochta tiomána

carta di qualificazione del conducente

kwalificatiekaart bestuurder

carta de qualificação do motorista

kuljettajan ammattipätevyyskortti

yrkeskompetensbevis för förare;

(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 corresponding heading 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).
If a Member State wishes to word these entries in a national language other than one of the following languages:
Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish 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.

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.

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EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES MODEL FOR A DRIVER QUALIFICATION CARD