CELEX: 51988PC0705
Language: en
Date: 1988-12-02
Title: PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE DRIVING LICENCE

27. 2. 89                                Official Journal of the European Communities                                No C 48/1
                                                                II
                                                        (Preparatory Acts)
                                                   COMMISSION
                                     Proposal for a Council Directive on the driving licence
                                                        COM(88) 705 final
                                      (Submitted by the Commission     on 9 December 1988)
                                                           (89/C 48/01)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,                            Whereas Article 3 of Directive 80/1263/EEC provides that
                                                                    final provisions generalizing in the Community the
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European               categories of vehicles mentioned in that Article should be
Economic Community, and in particular Article 75                    adopted without the possibility of derogation, as should the
thereof,                                                            conditions of validity of driving licences;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
                                                                    Whereas provision should be made for the possibility of
                                                                    subdividing the said categories of vehicles in order to
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,
                                                                    promote, in particular, gradual stages to driving more
                                                                    powerful vehicles;
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee,
                                                                    Whereas specific provisions should be adopted to make it
Whereas, for the purposes of the common transport policy,           easier for physically handicapped persons to drive vehicles;
and as a contribution to improving road traffic safety, as
well as to facilitate the movement of persons settling in a
Member State other than that in which they have passed a            Whereas Article 10 of Directive 80/1263/EEC provides for
driving test, it is desirable that there should be a                more detailed harmonization of the standards for driving
Community model national driving licence mutually                   tests and licensing; whereas to this end the knowledge,
recognized by the Member States without any obligation to           skills and behaviour connected with driving motor vehicles
exchange licences;                                                  should be defined and the driving test based on these
                                                                    concepts; whereas the minimum standards of physical and
Whereas the first step in this direction was made with First        mental fitness for driving such vehicles should be
Council Directive 80/1263/EEC (1), which established a              redefined;
Community model national driving licence, mutual
recognition by Member States of national driving licences
and the exchange of licences by holders transferring their          Whereas the provisions set out in Article 8 of Directive 80/
place of residence or place of employment from one                  1263/EEC, and in particular the obligation to exchange
Member State to another; whereas the progress made must             driving licences within a period of one year of changing
be continued;                                                       residence, constitute an obstacle to the free movement of
                                                                    persons; whereas this is inadmissible in the light of the
                                                                    progress made towards European integration;
Whereas the Community model national licence es-
tablished by Directive 80/1263/EEC should be maintained
with the addition of certain linguistic adaptations to take         Whereas, in order to facilitate the movement of persons
account of the accession of Spain and Portugal;                     wishing to settle in a Member State other than that in which
                                                                    their driving licence was issued before this Directive took
Whereas, on road safety grounds, the minimum require-               effect, there should be mutual recognition of driving
ments for the issue of a driving licence should be laid down;       licences by the Member States of residence subject to the
                                                                    conditions of validity laid down by the Member States
                                                                    which issued the licences, and it should be unnecessary to
(!) OJ No L 375, 31. 12. 1980, p. 1.                                exchange licences,
 ---pagebreak--- No C 48/2                                Official Journal of the European Communities                                  27. 2. 89
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:                                         Category C
                                                                    Motor vehicles other than those in category D and whose
                           Article 1                                maximum authorized mass exceeds 3 500 kg.
1. Member States shall introduce a national driving
licence based on the Community model as described in                Category D
Annex I in conformity with the provisions of this Directive.
                                                                    Motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and
2. The Community model driving licence within the                   having more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat.
meaning of this Directive and driving licences issued by the
Member States before this Directive took effect shall be
mutually recognized by the Member States and the                    Category E
conditions of their validity shall be determined by the State
which issued them regardless of the State of residence of the       Combinations of vehicles of which the tractor vehicle is in a
holder of the licence.                                              category or categories for which the driver is licensed (B, C
                                                                    or D), but which are not themselves in that category or
                                                                    categories.
                           Article 2
                                                                    2. Paragraph 1 may apply to motor vehicles in categories
For the purposes of this Directive, 'normal residence'              B, C and D to which a trailer whose maximum authorized
means the place where a person usually lives, that is for at        mass does not exceed 750 kg is coupled.
least 185 days in each calendar year, because of personal
and occupational ties, or, in the case of a person with no          3. Within category E, a specific driving licence shall be
occupational ties, because of personal ties which show              issued for driving the following vehicle combinations:
close links between that person and the place where he is
living.
                                                                    Sub-category B + E
However, the normal residence of a person whose
occupational ties are in a different place from his personal        Combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in
ties and who consequently lives in turn in different places         category B and its trailer has a maximum authorized mass
situated in two or more Member States shall be regarded as          of over 750 kg.
being the place of his personal ties, provided that such
person returns there regularly. This last condition need not        Nevertheless, a category B licence is sufficient provided
be met where the person is living in a Member State in order        that:
to carry out a task of a definite duration. Attendance at a
university or school shall not imply transfer of normal             — the maximum authorized mass of the trailer does not
residence.                                                              exceed the unladen mass of the vehicle,
                                                                        and
                           Article 3
                                                                    — the maximum authorized mass of the combinations of
1. The oval on page 1 of the Community model driving                    vehicles does not exceed 3 500 kg.
licence shall contain the distinguishing sign of the Member
State issuing the licence.
                                                                    Sub-category C + E
2. Member States shall take the necessary steps to avoid
any risk of forgery of driving licences.                            Combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in
                                                                    category C and its trailer has a maximum authorized mass
                                                                    of over 750 kg.
                           Article 4
1. The driving licence provided for in Article 1 shall              Sub-category D + E
authorize the driving of vehicles in the following cate-
gories :                                                            Combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in
                                                                    category D and its trailer has a maximum authorized mass
                                                                    of over 750 kg.
Category A
Motorcycles with or without side-car.                               4. Within category A, a specific driving licence may be
                                                                    issued for driving the following vehicles:
Category B                                                          — motorcycles with a cubic capacity not exceeding
                                                                        400 cm 3 or of a power not exceeding 35 kW,
Motor vehicles with a maximum authorized mass not
exceeding 3 500 kg and comprising not more than eight               — motorcycles with a cubic capacity of over 400 cm 3 or of
seats in addition to the driver's seat.                                 a power of over 35 kW.
 ---pagebreak--- 27. 2. 89                                 Official Journal of the European Communities                                 No C 4 8 / 3
Within the sub-category for motorcycles with a cubic                     shall not exceed 500 kg. The unladen mass of
capacity not exceeding 400 cm 3 a specific licence may be                electrically-propelled vehicles shall not take account of
issued for driving light motorcycles with a cubic capacity               the battery mass.
not exceeding 125 cm 3 .
5. Within categories B, C and D and sub-categories C +                   Member States may set lesser standards regarding the
E and D + E a specific driving licence may be issued for                 unladen mass and add others, such as the maximum
driving the following vehicles:                                          cubic capacity or power,
Category B                                                           — 'motor vehicle' means any power-driven vehicle, other
                                                                         than a motorcycle, which is normally used for carrying
Powered tricycles and quadricycles.                                      persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road,
                                                                         vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods. This
                                                                         term shall include trolleybuses, i.e. vehicles connected
Category C                                                               to an electric conductor and not rail-borne. It shall not
                                                                         include agricultural or forestry tractors,
Motor vehicles other than those in category D and whose
maximum authorized mass is over 3 500 kg but not more
than 7 500 kg.                                                       — 'agricultural or forestry tractor' means any power-
                                                                         driven vehicle running on wheels or tracks, having at
                                                                         least two axles, the principal functioning of which lies in
                                                                         its tractive power, which is specially designed to pull,
Category D
                                                                         push, carry or operate certain tools, machines or trailers
                                                                         used in connection with agricultural or forestry
Motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and                   operations, and the use of which for carrying persons or
having more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat            goods by road or drawing, on the road, vehicles used for
but not more than 16 seats in addition to the driver's seat.             the carriage of persons or goods is only a secondary
                                                                         function.
Sub-category C + E
                                                                     7. Member States may, after consulting the Commission,
Combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in             derogate, provided that this is mentioned in the driving
category C but whose maximum authorized mass does not                licence, from the speeds indicated at the second and third
exceed 7 500 kg and its trailer has a maximum authorized             indents of paragraph 6, provided that provision is made for
mass of over 750 kg.                                                 lower speeds.
Sub-category D + E
Combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in                                         Article 5
category D but does not have more than 16 seats in
addition to the driver's seat and its trailer has a maximum
authorized mass of over 750 kg.                                      1. Driving licences with restrictive conditions may be
                                                                     issued to or renewed for physically handicapped drivers as
6.   For the purposes of this Article:                               long as the vehicles they drive are adapted to their needs.
                                                                     Any restriction made in the driving licence shall state the
— 'power-driven vehicle' means any self-propelled vehicle            type of modification required to the vehicle, any prosthesis
    running on a road under its own power, other than a              that the driver must wear and, where appropriate, the
    rail-borne vehicle,                                              period of validity.
— 'motorcycles' means any two-wheeled vehicles with a
    maximum design speed exceeding 50 km/h or, if it is              Where the wearing of corrective lenses or intra-ocular
    powered by an internal combustion engine, with a                 lenses is required for the purpose of driving the vehicle this
    capacity of over 50 cm 3 ; a side-car shall be treated in the    shall be marked on the driving licence.
    same way as such a vehicle,
— 'tricycle' and 'quadricycle' mean respectively any three           2. If, because of a physical handicap, the applicant can
    or four-wheeled vehicle in category B with a maximum             only obtain a driving licence for certain types of vehicle or
    design speed of over 50 km/h or, if these vehicles are           for vehicles adapted to his needs, the driving test provided
    powered by a spark-ignition internal combustion                  for in Article 8 shall be taken in such a vehicle. Driving
    engine, with a cubic capacity of more than 50 cm 3 or any        licences issued after passing the test with a specially-
    other engine of equivalent power. The unladen mass               adapted vehicle shall be valid only for vehicles that are
 ---pagebreak--- No C 48/4                                 Official Journal of the European Communities                                    27. 2. 89
modified in accordance with the conditions attached to the           (c) Category C
driving licence.
                                                                         In the case of drivers engaged in the carriage of goods,
                                                                         the minimum age at which driving licences may be
                           Article 6                                     issued shall be as laid down in Council Regulation
                                                                         (EEC) No 3820/85 (*).
1. The issue of driving licences shall be subject to the
following conditions:                                                (d) Category D
(a) licences for categories C and D shall be issued only to              In the case of drivers engaged in the carriage of
    drivers already entitled to drive vehicles in category B;            passengers, the minimum age at which driving licences
                                                                         may be issued shall be as laid down in Council
(b) licences for combinations of vehicles in the sub-                    Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85.
    categories of category E shall be issued only to drivers
    already entitled to drive vehicles in categories B, C or D.      (e) Category E
2. The validity of the driving licence provided for in                   (i) Sub-category B 4- E: see category B.
Article 1 shall be determined as follows:
                                                                         (ii) Sub-category C + E: see category C.
(a) licences granted for sub-categories C + E or D + E
    shall be valid for combinations of vehicles in sub-                  (iii) Sub-category D + E: see category D.
    category B + E;
                                                                     (f) Optimal     sub-categories
(b) licences granted- for sub-category C + E shall be valid
                                                                         — Light motorcycles with a cubic capacity not
    for sub-category D + E as long as their holders are
                                                                              exceeding 125 cm 3 : applicants must be at least 16
    already entitled to drive vehicles in category D.
                                                                              years of age.
3. At national level, Member States may recognize the
                                                                         — Tricycles and quadricycles: applicants must be at
following as valid:
                                                                              least 16 years of age.
(a) licences granted for category A may also be valid for
                                                                     2. Member States may refuse to recognize the validity on
    driving tricycles and quadricycles;
                                                                     their territory of driving licences issued to drivers under 18
                                                                     years of age.
(b) licences granted for categories B, C or D may also be
    valid for driving light motorcycles. This validity may,
    however, be limited to vehicles with lesser standards                                        Article 8
    than those provided for by the definition of this sub-
    category.                                                        1. A driving licence shall, moreover, be issued only to
                                                                     those applicants:
                           Article 7                                 (a) who have passed a skills and behaviour test and a
                                                                         knowledge test and who meet medical standards, the
1. The issue of driving licences shall be subject to the                 minimum requirements of which may not be less
following minimum age conditions:                                        stringent than those set out in Annexes II and III;
(a) Category A                                                       (b) who have their normal residence in the territory of the
                                                                         Member State issuing the licence, or can produce
    — Motorcycles with a cubic capacity not exceeding 400                evidence that they are studying there.
        cm 3 or a power not exceeding 35 kW: applicants
        must be at least 18 years of age. Member States may          2. Subject to the assent of the Commission, Member
        derogate from this provision and issue such licences         States may apply to the issue of driving licences the
        from the age of 17 years.                                    provisions of their national rules relating to conditions
                                                                     other than those referred to in paragraph 1, provided that
    — Motorcycles with a cubic capacity of over 400 cm 3 or          they are objectively justified.
        with a power of over 35 kW: applicants must have
        held a licence to drive vehicles in the sub-category         3. National provisions regarding the suspension or
        immediately below for two years.                             withdrawal of the right to make use of a driving licence
                                                                     shall also apply to drivers who no longer satisfy the
(b) Category B                                                       requirements for the issue or renewal of a driving licence in
                                                                     regard to the knowledge, skill and behaviour connected
    Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.                     with the driving of a power-driven vehicle and the state of
    Member States may derogate from this provision and
    issue such licences from the age of 17 years.                    (!) OJ No L 370, 31. 12. 1985, p. 1.
 ---pagebreak--- 27. 2. 89                                 Official Journal of the European Communities                                    No C 48/5
health of the holder of the driving licence subject, in this         the competent authorities of the Member State issuing the
case, to an authorized medical opinion.                              Community licence.
4. The provisions of Annex III shall not prevent a
                                                                                                 Article 11
Member State from providing that a driver who obtained a
driving licence before 1 July 1990 under less stringent              Member States shall establish equivalences in so far as they
conditions than those provided for in that Annex may have            make use of the optional sub-categories set out in Article 4.
that licence regularly renewed under the conditions
pertaining when he obtained it.                                                                  Article 12
5. Member States may, subject to the assent of the                   Five years after implementation of the Directive, the
Commission, derogate from the provisions of Annex III                Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, shall
where such derogations are compatible with the develop-              review the national provisions regarding optional sub-
ment of medical science and with the principles laid down            categories established in accordance with Article 4, with a
in that Annex.                                                       view to their harmonization or elimination.
                           Article 9                                                             Article 13
Without prejudice to provisions to be adopted by the                 Vehicles used for the behaviour and skill test, as referred to
Council in this regard, each Member State shall retain the           in Annex II, which entered into service before 1 July 1990
right to fix, on the basis of national criteria, the period of       may be used after that date only for a period not exceeding
validity of the Community driving licences which it issues.          three years if they do not meet the criteria laid down for
                                                                     such vehicles in point 8.1.2 of Annex II.
                           Article 10
                                                                                                 Article 14
1. Where the holder of a valid national driving licence
issued by a Member State takes up normal residence in                1. After consulting the Commission, the Member States
another Member State, he may request that his driving                shall, at the latest by 31 December 1989, adopt the laws,
licence be exchanged for an equivalent licence issued by the         regulations or administrative provisions necessary for the
competent authorities in the Member State in which he has            implementation of this Directive from 1 July 1990.
taken up his new residence.                                          However, no provisions should be adopted concerning
                                                                     Article 7 (1) (c), (d), (e) (ii) and (iii) of the Directive if the
2. It shall be for the Member State effecting the exchange
                                                                     vehicles concerned by that Article fall within the scope of
to check, if necessary, whether the licence submitted is in
                                                                     Section II of Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85.
fact still valid. The Member State effecting the exchange
shall return the old licence to the authorities of the Member        2. The Member States shall assist one another in the
State which issued it.                                               implementation of this Directive.
3. Where a Member State exchanges a licence, issued by a
third country, for a Community model driving licence, such                                       Article 15
exchange shall be recorded in the licence, as shall any              First Directive 80/1263/EEC is hereby repealed.
subsequent renewal or replacement of that licence.
Article 1 (2) shall not apply to such a licence. A Community
                                                                                                 Article 16
model driving licence may in any event be issued only if the
licence issued by the third country has been surrendered to          This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 48/6                                     Official Journal of the European Communities                                           27. 2. 89
                                                                       ANNEX I
                                               COMMUNITY MODEL DRIVING LICENCE (J)
                                                                                                            MEMBER STATE
                                                                                                          DRIVING LICENCE
                                                                                                                   Korekort
                                                                                                               Fiihrerschein
                                                                                                            'A6eia o6r|Yncreu)c;
                                                                                                          Permiso de Conducci6n
                                                                                                            Permis de Conduire
                                                                                                            Ceadunas Tiom^na
                                                                                                             Patente di Guida
                                                                                                                  Rijbewijs
                                                                                                            Carta de Condupao
                                                                                                         EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                                                                                     Model
                                                         Categories of vehicles for which
    1 Surname                                                                                      Stamp      Additional information
                                                                 the permit is valid
    2 Other names
    3 Date and place of birth                        A      Motorcycles > 50 k.p.h. with
                                                            or without sidecar
    4 Permanent place of residence
                                                            Motor vehicles other than those
    5 Issued by                                             in category A with an authorized
                                                      B     maximum mass not exceeding
                                                            3.5 tonnes and not more than eight
    6 At                                                    seats in addition to the driver's seat
    7 Valid until
                                                            Motor vehicles used for the
    8 No                              (Photo)         C     carriage of goods and whose
                                                            authorized maximum mass
                                                            exceeds 3.5 tonnes
                                                            Motor vehicles used for the
       (Signature etc.)                               D     carriage of passengers with more
                                                            than eight seats in addition
                                                            to the driver's seat
                            Signature of
                            holder
                                                            Combinations of vehicles of
                                                            which the drawing vehicle is in
                                                      E     categories B, C or D but which
                                                            are not themselves in
                                                            that category or categories
                                                                       222 mm
(x) The comments on the model Community driving licence will be found on page 7.
    A specimen Community driving licence (Belgian) appears on page 8.
 ---pagebreak--- 27. 2. 89                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                          No C 48/7
                                    Comments on the model driving licence shown on page 6
          1. The colour of the Community driving licence shall be pink.
          2. On the cover page:
             — mention of the name of the Member State issuing the licence shall be optional,
             — the distinguishing sign of the Member State issuing the licence shall be entered in the oval,
             — the words 'driving licence' shall be printed in large type in the language or languages of the Member State
                 issuing the licence. They shall appear, after a suitable space, in small type in the other languages of the
                 European Communities,
             — the words 'European Communities model' shall be printed in the language or languages of the Member
                 State issuing the licence.
          3. The printed entries on the other pages shall be in the language or languages of the Member State issuing the
             licence.
          4. The page entitled 'Additional information' is designed for details of any restriction or extension of the
             conditions governing the validity of the licence. This page may also be used for showing the period of
             validity of the licence where this varies.
                                                         Additional information
                             Valid until:                              Renewed until:
                             Issued on :
          5. Other comments may be entered on the remaining blank pages. Where appropriate. Member States may
             enter on them categories of vehicles not covered by this Directive or may subdivide categories A, B, C, D and
             E in the corresponding page.
          6. Member States shall have the right to:
             — dispense with the photograph requirement,
             — replace the permanent place of residence by the postal address.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 4 8 / 8                      Official Journal of the European Communities                     27. 2. 89
                           SPECIMEN COMMUNITY MODEL LICENCE: BELGIAN LICENCE
                                               (FOR INFORMATION)
             KONINKRIJK BELGIE                                        ROYAUME DE BELGIQUE
                                                                                   PERMIS
                   RIJBEWIJS                                                   DE C O N D U I R E
                      Korekort                                                      Korekort
                   Fiihrerschein                                                 Fiihrerschein
                'A6eia o6n.Yncr€Ujc;                                         'A6eia o6r|Yncr€ijj<;
              Permiso de Conduccion                                      Permiso de Conduccion
                  Driving Licence                                              Driving Licence
                Permis de Conduire                                           Ceadunas Tiomana
                Ceadunas Tiomana                                               Patente di Guida
                 Patente di Guida                                                  Rijbewijs
                Carta de Conducao                                            Carta de Conducao
                    Model van de                                                   Modele des
            EUROPESE GEMEENSCHAPPEN                                    COMMUNAUTES EUROPEENNES
 ---pagebreak--- ^ ^ ^                                 C^t^c^l]onrn^lo^rric^uronc^nCornrnun^n^                                                                                  ^oC^B^
            tm^^o^L^n^^,^tLLA^n^^AVton^
      n      preamble
             Todnvesafely,dnvers of all motor vehicles must have the knowledge,skill and behaviour to be
             able^
            ^^ to recognise tragic dangers and to assess their seriousness,
            — t o h a v e sufficient commandos their vehicle not to create dangerous situations a n d t o r e a c t
                    appropriately should such situations occur,
            — to comply with road traffic regulations, and in particular those intended to prevent road
                    accidents and to maintain the flow of traffic,
            — to detect any major technical faults in their vehicles, and in particular those posmgasafety
                    hazard, and have them remedied in an appropriate fashion,
            ^        to takeaccountoffactors affecting driving behaviours.g. alcohol,fatigue,eyesight, etc.^so as to
                     retain full use of the faculties needed to drive safely,
            — to help ensure the safety of all road users, and in particular of the weakest and most exposed, by
                     showing due respect for others.
      ^.     knowledge
             Onvers must demonstr^teaknowledge and sound understanding of the following fields^
      ^.f.   importance of alertness and of attitudes to other road users^
      ^.^.   mechanical aspects w i t h a b e a n n g on road safety^m particular they must be sufficiently familiar
             with, and be able to put right, the most common faults in the steering system, tyres, lights and
             directionindicators, reflectors, rearview mirrors, windscreen washersand wipers, theexhaust
             system and seatbelts^
      ^S.    the most important principles concerning braking distances and roadholdingundervanous weather
             and road conditions^
      ^.^t.  perception,mdgment and decision taking, especially reaction time, as well as changes in driving
             behaviour due to the influence of alcohol, drugs and medicaments, state of mind and fatigue,
      ^.^.   specific risk factors related to the age and lack of experience of other road users, including
             pedestrians and in particular children, adolescents and elderly people, in order to be able to predict
             their behaviour in traffic situations^
      ^.^.   specific driving characteristics of various types of vehicle and of the different fields of view of their
             drivers, to be able to predict how the driver will behave or the vehicle move in traffic,
      ^BB.   risk factors related t o v a r i o u s r o a d c o n d i t i o n s , as they c h a n g e w i t h the w e a t h e r a n d the t i m e o f d a y or
             nights
      ^.^.   characteristics of v a r i o u s types of r o a d a n d of the related s t a t u t o r y r e q u i r e m e n t s ,
      ^.^.   s t a t u t o r y vehicle safety e q u i p m e n t , a n d m p a r t i c u l a r the use of seat^belts w h e r e v e r statutorily
             required a n d child safety ecmipment^
      ^SO.   general rules r e g a r d i n g vehicle use in regard t o e n v i r o n m e n t ^especially noise a n d p o l l u t i o n s ,
      ^.M.   r o a d traffic r e g u l a t i o n s , in p a r t i c u l a r as regards r o a d signs, signals, rights of w a y and speed limits^
      ^.M.   rules c o n c e r n i n g a d m i n i s t r a t i v e d o c u m e n t s required for the use of vehicles,
      ^.f^.  rules specifying h o w the driver m u s t b e h a v e in the event of an accident ^ s e t t i n g w a r m n g devices a n d
             raising the alarms a n d the m e a s u r e s w h i c h he can t a k e t o assist r o a d accident victims w h e r e
             necessary^
      ^.rt.  safety factors relating to vehicle loading and persons carried.
      e^      ^tts
             The rules set out below apply only to the extent that they are compatible with the characteristics of
             the vehicle.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 48/10                           Official Journal of the European Communities
           3.1.   Drivers must be able to prepare for safe driving by:
           3.1.1. checking the condition of the tyres, lights, reflectors, steering, brakes, direction indicators and
                  audible warning device;
           3.1.2. adjusting the seat as necessary to obtain a correct seated position;
           3.1.3. adjusting the rear-view mirrors and seat-belts;
           3.1.4. checking that the doors are closed.
           3.2.   Drivers must be able to use the vehicle controls, i.e.:
                  — steering wheel,
                  — accelerator,
                  — clutch,
                  — gears,
                  — handbrake and footbrake,
                  under the following conditions:
           3.2.1. starting the engine and moving off smoothly (uphill as well as downhill);
           3.2.2. accelerating to a suitable speed while maintaining a straight course, including during gear-changes;
           3.2.3. adjusting speed to negotiate left or right turns at junctions, possibly in restricted spaces, while
                  maintaining control of the vehicle;
           3.2.4. reversing in a straight line and reversing right or left round a corner while keeping within the correct
                  traffic lane;
           3.2.5. performing a three-point turn (using forward and reverse gears) on a suitably narrow stretch of
                  road;
           3.2.6. braking accurately to a stop, if need be by performing an emergency stop;
           3.2.7. parking the vehicle and leaving a parking space (parallel, oblique or right-angle) both forwards and
                  in reverse, on the flat, uphill and downhill.
           3.3.   Under the conditions set out in 3.2. drivers must be able to use the secondary controls of the vehicle:
                  windscreen wipers, windscreen washers, demister and air-conditioning, lights, etc.
           4.     Behaviour
           4.1.   Drivers must be able to perform all the usual manoeuvres in complete safety in normal traffic
                  situations, taking all the necessary precautions:
           4.1.1. observing (including the use of the rear-view mirrors) road alignment, markings, signs and signals
                  and potential or actual risks;
           4.1.2. communicating with other road users using the authorized means;
           4.1.3. reacting in actual risk situations;
           4.1.4. complying with road traffic regulations and the instructions of the police, traffic wardens, etc.
           4.1.5. showing due respect for other road users.
           4.2.   Drivers must also have the skills needed, in traffic situations:
           4.2.1. to move off from the kerb and/or a parking space;
           4.2.2. to drive with the vehicle correctly positioned on the road, adjusting speed to traffic conditions;
           4.2.3. to keep the right distance between vehicles;
           4.2.4. to change lanes;
           4.2.5. to pass parked or stationary vehicles and obstacles;
           4.2.6. to pass oncoming vehicles, including in confined spaces;
           4.2.7. to overtake in various situations;
           4.2.8. to approach and cross level crossings;
 ---pagebreak--- 27. 2. 89                           Official Journal of the European Communities                                      No C 48/11
          4.2.9.  to approach and cross junctions;
          4.2.10. to turn right and left at junctions or to leave the carriageway;
          4.2.11. to take the necessary precautions when alighting from the vehicle.
          5.      Specific requirements for driving category A, C, D, and sub-category C + E and D + E vehicles
          5.1.    Category A
                  Drivers of category A vehicles must know how:
          5.1.1.  to adjust their crash-helmet and to check the other safety devices on the vehicle;
          5.1.2.  to remove the motorcycle from its stand and to move it, without the aid of the engine, by walking
                  alongside the vehicle;
          5.1.3.  to park the motorcycle on its stand;
          5.1.4.  to perform a U-turn;
          5.1.5.  to keep the vehicle balanced at various speeds, including slow speeds, and in different driving
                  situations, also whilst carrying a passenger;
          5.1.6.  to lean over to turn.
          5.2.    Categories C, D and sub-categories C + E and D + E
                  Drivers of vehicles in these categories must demonstrate a knowledge and sound understanding of
                  the fields set out below:
          5.2.1.  obstructions to the visibility of the driver and other users caused by the characteristics of their
                  vehicle;
          5.2.2.  the effect of wind on the course of the vehicle;
          5.2.3.  rules on vehicle weights and dimensions;
          5.2.4.  rules on driving hours, rest periods and use of the tachograph;
          5.2.5.  principles of braking systems and speed governors:;
          5.2.6.  precautions to be taken when overtaking because of the danger of splashing spray or mud;
          5.2.7.  reading a road map. They must also be capable of:
          5.2.8.  checking the power-assisted braking and steering systems;
          5.2.9.  using the various braking systems;
          5.2.10. using the speed governor;
          5.2.11. adjusting course when turning to allow for the length of vehicle and its overhangs.
          5.3.    Categories C and C + E
                  Drivers of vehicles in these categories must:
          5.3.1.  know the safety factors relating to vehicle loading.
          5.4.    Category C + E
                  Drivers of vehicles in this sub-category must be capable of:
          5.4.1.  coupling and uncoupling the trailer or semi-trailer to and from the tractor.
 ---pagebreak--- ^oC4^t^                                      Co^ici^l]onrn^lo^r^Enror^^nCornrnuninc^                                          ^7 ^ ^
        5.5.        e^^o^o
                   Onvers of vehicles in this category must demonstrateaknowledgeof^
        5.5.1.     the rules concerning persons carried^
        5.5.2.     how to behave in the event of an accident. They must also be capable of^
        5.5.3.     taking special vehicle safety measures.
        ^.         Use of the vehicle
                   ^11 drivers must be capable of driving their vehicles on various types of roads, b o t h m u r b a n areas
                   and on the open road and in various traffic density conditions, both in daylight and at night.
                                                tt.^t^t^n^^E^nt^E^E^T^Eo^n^tvt^cTE^T^
                   The member ^tate shall take the necessary measures to ensure that applicants for dnvingavehicle
                   possess the knowledge and skills and exhibit the behaviour required for drivingamotor vehicle.^
                   test introduced to this effect must consist of^
                   — atheoreticaltest,
                   — atest of skills and behaviour.
                 ^ The conditions under which this test shall be conducted are set out below.
        7.         Theory test
        7.1.        ^o^
                   The form chosen shall be such as to make sure that the applicant has the required knowledge of the
                   subjects listed in p a r a g r a p h s 2 a n d 5 m this ^nnex.
        7.2.        eo^^^^^^^^o^^^^^^^B^^^^o^^
                   The numbers refer to p a r a g r a p h 2 o f this ^nnex.
        7.2.1.     questions must be asked on each of the subjects listed below, the content of the questions being left
                   to the discretion of each member ^tate.
        7.2.1.1.   lOoad traffic regulations (point 2.11^.
        7.2.1.2.   The driver (points 2.1 and 2.4^.
        7.213.     The road (points 2.3, 2.7 and 2 . ^ .
        7.2.1.4.   Other road users (points 2.5 and 2 . ^ .
        7.2.1.5.   (general rules and regulations and others matters (points 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14^.
        7.2.2.     The test provided for in pomt7.2.1 above should be completed b y a r a n d o m check on one of the
                   following points 2.2, 2.^ and 2.lOconcerning the vehicle.
        7.3.       ^ ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ o ^ ^ o ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ C , 0 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^ e             ^ ^ ^ ^ O ^ ^
                   The test provided for in paragraph7.2 above will be completed for applicants to drive vehicles in
                   categories e , O a n d s u b c a t e g o n e s e ^ E a n d O ^ E^
        7.3.1.     by an obligatory check of the following points under p a r a g r a p h 5 m this ^nnex.
        7.3.1.1.   e a t e g o n e s e , O a n d s u b c a t e g o n e s e ^ E a n d O ^ E (pomts5.2.3,5.2.4[exceptuseofthe
                   tachograph,whichisdealtwithmpoint^.3.nand5.2.5^.
        7.3.1.2.   e a t e g o r y O ( p o m t s 5.5.land 5.5.2^.
        7.3.2.     b y a r a n d o m check of one of the following points^
                   5.2.1, 5.2.2, and5.2.^.
 ---pagebreak--- 27. 2. 89                            Official Journal of the European Communities                                         No C 48/13
          8.     Test of skills and behaviour
          8.1.   The vehicle and its equipment
          8.1.1. The driving of a vehicle with manual transmission shall be subject to the passing of a skills and
                 behaviour test taken on a vehicle with manual transmission.
                 If an applicant takes a test on a vehicle with automatic transmission this shall be recorded on any
                 licence issued on the basis of such tests. Licences with this endorsement shall be used only for driving
                 vehicles with automatic transmission.
          8.1.2. Vehicles to be used for the skills and b e h a v i o u r tests
                 Category A
                 — sub-category: motorcycles with a cubic capacity not exceeding 400 cm 3 or a power not exceeding
                     35 kW: motorcycle with a power of at least 20 kW or a cubic capacity of at least 240 cm 3 and a
                     mass of at least 120 kg,
                 — sub-category: motorcycles with a cubic capacity of over 400 cm 3 or a power of over 35 kW:
                     motorcycle with a cubic capacity of at least 600 cm 3 ,
                 — optional sub-category: light motorcycles: motorcycle with a cubic capacity of at least 80 cm 3 .
                 Category B
                 Four-wheeled category B vehicle capable of a speed of at least 100 km/h.
                 Optional sub-category tricycles and quadricycles
                 Tricycles or quadricycles capable of a speed of 60 km/h.
                 Category C
                 Category C vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of at least 11 000 kg and capable of a speed of
                 at least 80 km/h.
                 Optional sub-category for a limited C licence
                 Category C vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of at least 4 000 kg and capable of a speed of
                 80 km/h.
                 Category D
                 Category D vehicles not less than 9 m in length and capable of a speed of 80 km/h.
                 Optional sub-category for a limited D licence
                 Category D vehicles capable of a speed of 80 km/h.
                 Category E
                 M a n d a t o r y sub-categories
                 B + E
                 Combinations of vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of over 3 500 kg comprising a category
                 B vehicle and a trailer with a maximum authorized mass of at least 1 250 kg and capable of a speed of
                 100 km/h;
                 C + E
                 — Articulated vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of at least 21 000 kg and capable of a
                     speed of 80 km/h, or
 ---pagebreak--- No C 48/14                                Official Journal of the European Communities                                     27. 2. 89
                  — Combinations of vehicles comprising a category C vehicle and a trailer with at least two axles,
                        one of which at least must be a steering axle, and a wheelbase of at least 4 m, with a maximum
                        authorized mass of the combination of not less than 21 000 kg and capable of 80 km/h;
                  D + E
                  Combinations comprising a category D test vehicle and a trailer with a maximum authorized mass of
                  not less than 1 250 kg and capable of 80 km/h.
                  Optional sub-categories
                  C + E
                  Combinations of vehicles comprising a category C vehicle with a maximum authorized mass of not
                  less than 4 000 kg and a trailer with a maximum authorized mass of not less than 2 000 kg.The length
                  of the combination must not be less than 6 m. It must be capable of 80 k m / h ;
                  D + E
                  Combinations of vehicles comprising a category D test vehicle and a trailer with a maximum
                  authorized mass of not less than 1 250 kg and capable of 80 km/h.
           8.2.   Skills and behaviour
                  The rules set out below apply only where they are compatible with the characteristics of the vehicle.
           8.2.1. P r e p a r a t i o n of the vehicle
                  Applicants must demonstrate that they are capable of preparing to drive safely by satisfying the
                  following requirements (the references are to point 3.1 in this Annex): points 3.1.2, 3.1.3 (the point
                  on seat-belts applies only if the law requires one to be worn) and 3.1.4.
           8.2.2. C o n t r o l of the vehicle
                  Applicants must demonstrate that they are capable of using the vehicle controls by satisfactorily
                  performing the following manoeuvres (the references are to point 3.2 of this Annex):
                  — Points 3.2.1 (starting on the flat and uphill), 3.2.2, 3.2.3 and 3.2.6 (except emergency stops,
                       which are dealt with in point 10.1.1).
                  — A selection of the manoeuvres referred to under points 3.2.4, 3.2.5 and 3.2.7 shall be tested (at
                       least two manoeuvres for the three points, including one in reverse gear).
                  The manoeuvre specified in point 3.2.5 need not be tested for vehicle categories C, D and E.
                  Applicants for a licence in these categories must reverse along a curve, the line of which shall be left
                  to the discretion of the Member States.
           8.2.3. B e h a v i o u r in traffic
                  Applicants must perform all the following manoeuvres referred to in paragraph 4 of this Annex in
                  normal traffic situations, in complete safety and taking all necessary precautions: points 4.1.1,4.1.2,
                  4.1.3,4.1.4, 4.1.5,4.2.1,4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4,4.2.5, 4.2.9 and 4.2.10 plus the manoeuvres mentioned in
                  points 4.2.6, 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 if the opportunity is given.
           8.3.   Specific provisions concerning categories A, C, D and E
                  In addition to the abovementioned manoeuvres, applicants for category A, C, D and E licences must
                  perform the following manoeuvres (the references are to paragraph 5 in this Annex):
 ---pagebreak--- ^B5 ^. ^                                  C^t^c^l]onrn^lo^rric^nronc^nCornrnun^n^                                         ^loC^Bl^
         ^.3.1.    C^ategory^
                  Points^.1.2 (removing the motorcycle from its stand and possibly moving it, without the aid of the
                  engine, by walking alongside^,5.1.3 and5.1.^.tf the law re^uiresacrash^helmet to be worn, the
                  adjustment of the helmet shall be checked.^selection of the checks listed under pomt5.1.1shall be
                  tested.The ability to keep balance (pomt5.1.5^ must be tested at various speeds, including slow
                  speeds, and in different driving situations except the transport of passengers, which is dealt with in
                  pomt9.1.2.1.
         ^.3.2.   categories e , O a n d F
                  Points 5.2.^, 5.2.9,5.2.10and 5.2.11.
         ^.3.3.    eategoryO
                  Point 5.5.3.
         9.       Theory or practical test
         9.1.     The apphcant^sskills and behaviour in the areas listed below must be tested either in the theory test
                  or in the practical test, at the discretion of the member states
         9.1.1.   ^11 c a t e g o r i e s
         9.1.1.1. Random checks on the condition of the tyres, lights, reflectors, steering, brakes, direction indicators
                  and audible warning device.
         9.1.1.2. Precautions necessary when alighting from the vehicle.
         9.1.2.    eategory^
         9.1.2.1. Xeeping balance whilst carrymgapassenger.
         9.1.3.   categories e , O a n d F
         9.1.3.1. Use of the tachograph.
         9.1.^.     eategorye^F
         9.1.^.1. attaching and detachmgatrailer or semitrailer to^form its tractor vehicle.
         9.1.^.2. safety factors relating to vehicle loading.
         9.2.     R e a d i n g a r o a d map may be tested either in the theory or in the practical test.
         10.       Opttonatpract^cattest
                  The aspects ofthe applicants^ skill and behaviour listed below may also be tested in the course ofthe
                  practical test.
         10.1.      ^ ^ ^ o ^ ^
         10.1.1.  emergency stop.
         10.2.      C^^o^y^
         10.2.1.   Uturn.
         11.      i r k i n g of the practical test
                  Por each of the abovementioned driving situations, the assessment must reflect the degree of ease
                  with which the applicant handles the vehicle controls and his demonstrated capacity to drive in
                  traffic in complete safety.
                  The examiner must feel safe throughout the test, errors or dangerous conduct immediately
                  endangering the safety of the test vehicle, its passengers or other road users shall be penalised by
                  faihngthe test, whether or notthee^ammer has to intervene, nonetheless the examiner shall be free
                  to decide whether or not the practical test should be completed
 ---pagebreak--- No C 48/16                              Official Journal of the European Communities                                             27. 2. 89
           12.       Length of the test
                     The length of the test and the distance travelled must be sufficient to assess the skills and behaviour
                     laid down in paragraphs 8 and 9.
                     In no circumstances should the time spent driving on the road be less than 25 minutes for categories
                     A and B and 45 minutes for the other categories.
           13.       Location of the test
                     The part of the test to assess the applicant's control over the vehicle may be conducted on a special
                     testing ground. Wherever possible, the part of the test to assess behaviour in traffic should be
                     conducted on roads outside built-up areas, expressways and motorways, as well as on urban streets
                     which should represent the problems likely to be encountered by drivers.
                     It is also desirable for the test to take place in various traffic density conditions.
                                                              ANNEX III
                MINIMUM STANDARDS OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL FITNESS FOR DRIVING A M O T O R
                                                               VEHICLE
                                                             DEFINITIONS
           1.        For the purposes of this Annex, drivers are classified in two groups:
           1.1.      Group 1:
                     Drivers of vehicles of categories A and B and sub-category B + E.
           1.2.      Group 2:
                     Drivers of vehicles of categories C and D and of the other sub-categories of category E.
           1.3.      The national legislation may provide for the provisions set out in this Annex for group 2 drivers to
                     apply to drivers of category B vehicles using their driving licence for professional purposes (taxis,
                     ambulances, etc.).
           2.        Similarly, applicants for a first driving licence or for the renewal of a driving licence are classified in
                     the group to which they will belong once the licence has been issued or renewed.
                                                          MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS
           3.        Group 1:
                     Applicants shall be required to undergo a medical examination if it becomes apparent, when the
                     necessary formalities are being completed or during the tests which they have to undergo prior to
                     obtaining a driving licence, that they have one or more of the medical disabilities mentioned in this
                     Annex.
                     Applicants for a first licence and drivers aged over 75 shall undergo such periodic medical
                     examinations as may be prescribed by national laws.
 ---pagebreak--- 27. 2. 89                         Official Journal of the European Communities                                            No C 48/17
          4.   Group 2:
               Applicants shall undergo a medical examination before a driving licence is first granted to them and
               thereafter drivers shall undergo such periodic examinations as may be prescribed by national laws.
          5.   The standards set by Member States for issuing driving licences may be stricter than those set out in
               this Annex.
                                                                 SIGHT
          6.   All applicants for a driving licence should undergo an appropriate investigation to ensure that they
               have adequate visual acuity for driving motor vehicles. Where there is reason to doubt that the
               applicant's vision is adequate, he should be examined by a competent medical authority. At this
               examination attention should be paid to the following in particular: visual acuity, field of vision,
               twilight vision and progressive eye diseases.
               For the purpose of this Annex intra-ocular lenses shall not be considered corrective lenses.
               Group 1
          6.1. Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of such a licence shall have a visual acuity, with
               corrective lenses if necessary, of a least 0,6 when using both eyes together. Driving licences should
               not be granted or renewed if, in the event of medical examination, it is shown that the horizontal field
               of vision is less than 120° or that the person concerned suffers from any other eye condition that
               would compromise safe driving. Where a progressive eye disease is diagnosed or declared, driving
               licences may be issued or renewed subject to the applicant undergoing regular examinations by a
               competent medical authority.
          6.2. Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of such a licence who have total functional loss of
               vision in one eye or use only one eye (e.g. in the case of diplopia) must have a visual acuity of at least
               0,6, with corrective lenses if necessary. The competent medical authority must certify that this
               condition of monocular vision has existed sufficiently long to allow adaptation and that the field of
               vision in this eye is normal.
               Group 2
          6.3. Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of such a licence must have a visual acuity, with
               corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0,8 in the better eye and of at least 0,5 in the worse eye. If
               corrective lenses are used to attain the values of 0,8 and 0,5, the uncorrected acuity in each eye must
               reach 0,05 or the minimum acuity (0,8 and 0,5) must be achieved either by correction by means of
               glasses with a power not exceeding plus or minus four dioptres or with the aid of contact lenses
               (uncorrected vision = 0,05). The correction must be well tolerated. Driving licences shall not be
               issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers without a normal field of vision or suffering from
               diplopia.
                                                               HEARING
          7.   Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers in group 2 if their hearing
               is so deficient that it interferes with the proper discharge of their duties.
                                        PERSONS WITH A LOCOMOTOR DISABILITY
          8.   Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers suffering from complaints
               or abnormalities of the locomotor system which make it dangerous to drive a motor vehicle.
               Group 1
          8.1. Driving licences subject to certain restrictions, if necessary, may be issued to physically handicapped
               applicants or drivers following the issuing of an opinion by a competent medical authority. This
               opinion must be based on a medical assessment of the complaint or abnormality in question and,
               where necessary, on a practical test. It must also indicate what type of modification to the vehicle is
               required and whether the driver needs to be fitted with an orthopaedic device, in so far as the test of
               driving ability and behaviour demonstrates that with such a device driving would not be dangerous.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 48/18                         Official Journal of the European Communities                                         27. 2. 89
           8.2.  Driving licences may be issued to or renewed for any applicant suffering from a progressive
                 complaint on condition that the disabled person is periodically examined to check that the person is
                 still capable of driving the vehicle completely safely.
                 Where the handicap is static, driving licences may be issued or renewed without the applicant being
                 subject to regular medical examination.
                 Group 2
           8.3.  The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the additional risks and dangers
                 involved in the driving of vehicles covered by the definition of this group.
                                                    CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
           9.    Any disease capable of exposing an applicant for a first licence or a driver applying for renewal to a
                 sudden failure of the cardiovascular system such that there is a sudden impairment of the cerebral
                 functions constitutes a danger to road safety.
                 Group 1
           9.1.  Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers with serious arrhythmias.
           9.2.  Driving licences may be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers wearing a pacemaker subject
                 to authorized medical opinion and regular medical check-ups.
           9.3.  The question whether to issue or renew a licence for applicants or drivers suffering from abnormal
                 arterial blood pressure shall be assessed with reference to the other results of the examination, any
                 associated complications and the danger they might constitute for road safety.
           9.4.  Generally speaking, a driving licence shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers
                 suffering from angina during rest or emotion. The issuing or renewal of a driving licence to any
                 applicant or exisiting licence holder having suffered myocardial infarction shall be subject to
                 authorized medical opinion and, if necessary, regular medical examination.
                 Group 2
           9.5.  The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the additional risks and dangers
                 involved in the driving of vehicles covered by the definition of this group.
                                                         DIABETES MELLITUS
           10.   Driving licences may be issued to or renewed for applicants or existing licence holders suffering from
                 diabetes mellitus subject to authorized medical opinion and regular medical check-ups appropriate
                 to each case.
                 Group 2
           10.1. Only in very exceptional cases may driving licences be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers
                 in this group suffering from diabetes mellitus and requiring insulin treatment, and then only where
                 duly justified by authorized medical opinion and subject to regular medical check-ups.
                                                     NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES
           11.   Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers suffering from a serious
                 neurological disease, unless the application is supported by authorized medical opinion.
 ---pagebreak--- 27. 2. 89                         Official Journal of the European Communities                                             No C 48/19
                For example, neurological disturbances associated with diseases or surgical intervention affecting
                the central or peripheral nervous system, which lead to sensory or motor deficiences and affect
                 balance and coordination must be taken into account in relation to their effects and the risks of
                progression. Where necessary, the renewal or grant of the licence may be subject to periodic
                 assessment.
          12.   Epileptic seizures or other sudden disturbances of the state of consciousness constitute a serious
                danger to road safety if they occur to a person while driving a motor vehicle.
                 Group 1
          12.1. A licence may be issued or renewed subject to an examination by a competent medical authority and
                to regular medical check-ups. The authority shall decide on the state of the epilepsy or other
                disturbances of consciousness, its clinical form and progress (no seizure in the last two years, for
                example), the treatment received and the results thereof.
                Group 2
          12.2. Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers suffering or liable to suffer
                from epileptic seizures or other sudden disturbances of the state of consciousness.
                                                        MENTAL DISORDERS
                Group 1
          13.1. Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers who:
                — suffer from severe mental disturbance, whether congenital or due to disease, trauma or
                    neurosurgical operations,
                — suffer from severe mental retardation,
                — suffer from severe behavioural problems due to ageing or from personality defects leading to
                    impaired judgment or adaptability,
                unless their application is supported by authorized medical opinion and, if necessary, subject to
                regular medical check-ups.
                Group 2
          13.2. The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the additional risks and dangers
                involved in the driving of vehicles covered by the definition of this group.
                                                              ALCOHOL
          14.   Alcohol consumption constitutes a major danger to road safety. In view of the scale of the problem
                the medical profession must be very vigilant.
                Group 1
          14.1. Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers who are dependent on
                alcohol or unable to refrain from drinking and driving.
                After a proven period of abstinence and subject to authorized medical opinion and regular medical
                check-ups, driving licences may be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers who have in the past
                been dependent on alcohol.
                Group 2
          14.4. The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the additional risks and dangers
                involved in the driving of vehicles covered by the definition of this group.
 ---pagebreak--- No C 48/20                           Official Journal of the European Communities                                             27. 2. 89
                                             DRUGS, CHEMICALS AND MEDICAMENTS
           15.     Drug abuse :
                   Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers who are dependent on
                   psychotropic substances, whatever category of licence is requested.
                   Regular use:
                   Group 1
           15.1.   Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers who regularly use
                   psychotropic substances, in whatever form, which can hamper the ability to drive safely where such
                   large quantities are absorbed that they are likely to have an adverse effect on driving. This shall apply
                   to all other medicaments or combinations of medicaments which can hamper the ability to drive
                   safely.
                   Group 2
           15.2.   The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the additional risks and dangers
                   involved in the driving of vehicles covered by the definition of this group.
                                                           RENAL DISORDERS
                   Group 1
           16.1. . Driving licences may be issued to or renewed for applicants and drivers suffering from serious renal
                   insufficiency subject to authorized medical opinion and regular medical check-ups.
                   Group 2
           16.2.   Save in exceptional cases supported by authorized medical opinion, and subject to regular medical
                   check-ups, driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers suffering from
                   serious and irreversible renal deficiency.
                                                    MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
                   Group 1
           17.1.   Subject to authorized medical opinion and, if necessary, regular medical check-ups, driving licences
                   may be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers who have had an organ transplant or an
                   artificial implant which affects the ability to drive.
                   Group 2
           17.2.   The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the additional risks and dangers
                   involved in the driving of vehicles covered by the definition of this group.
           18.     As a general rule, where applicants or drivers suffer from any disorder which is not mentioned in the
                   preceding paragraphs but is liable to be, or to result in, a functional incapacity affecting safety at the
                   wheel, driving licences shall not be issued or renewed unless the application is supported by
                   authorized medical opinion and, if necessary, subject to regular medical check-ups.