Article 1 Subject matter and scope
1. This Directive lays down common rules on: (a) the models, standards and categories of driving licences; (b) the issuance, validity, renewal and mutual recognition of driving licences; (c) certain aspects of the exchange, replacement, cancellation, withdrawal, suspension and restriction of driving licences; (d) certain aspects applicable to novice drivers, in particular concerning an accompanied driving scheme and a probationary period. 2. This Directive does not apply to: (a) non-road mobile machinery as defined in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EU) 2025/14 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 16 ) ; and (b) power-driven vehicles running on wheels or tracks, having at least two axles, the principal function of which lies in their tractive power, which are specially designed to pull, push, carry or operate certain tools, machines or trailers used in connection with agricultural or forestry operations, and the use of which for carrying persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods is only a secondary function.
Article 2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions apply: (1) ‘driving licence’ means a document, be it in a physical or a digital format, or both, that certifies the right to drive power-driven vehicles and states the conditions under which the holder is authorised to drive; (2) ‘physical driving licence’ means a driving licence that is in a physical format; (3) ‘mobile driving licence’ means a driving licence that is in a digital format; (4) ‘power-driven vehicle’ means any self-propelled road vehicle, other than a rail-borne vehicle; (5) ‘two-wheel vehicle’ means a vehicle as referred to in Article 4(2), point (a), of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 17 ) ; (6) ‘three-wheel vehicle’ means a vehicle as referred to in Article 4(2), point (b), of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013; (7) ‘light quadricycle’ means a vehicle as referred to in Article 4(2), point (f), of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013; (8) ‘motorcycle’ means a two-wheel vehicle with or without a sidecar, as referred to in Article 4(2), points (c) and (d), of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013; (9) ‘powered tricycle’ means a vehicle with three symmetrically arranged wheels, as referred to in Article 4(2), point (e), of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013; (10) ‘motor vehicle’ means any power-driven vehicle which is normally used for carrying persons or goods by road or for drawing, on the road, vehicles used for the carriage of persons or goods, and includes trolleybuses; (11) ‘trolleybus’ means any vehicle that can be connected to an electric conductor and is not track-based; (12) ‘heavy quadricycle’ means a vehicle as referred to in Article 4(2), point (g), of Regulation (EU) No 168/2013; (13) ‘motor caravan’ means a special purpose vehicle of category M as referred to in Article 4 and point 5.1 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/858. (14) ‘crisis’ means an exceptional, unexpected and sudden, natural or man-made event of extraordinary nature and scale that takes place inside or outside of the Union, which has significant direct or indirect impacts on the area of road transport and which also prevents or significantly impairs the possibility for the holders of driving licences or relevant national authorities from carrying out the necessary procedures for their renewal.
Article 3 Union standard specifications on driving licences and mutual recognition
1. Member States shall ensure that their national driving licences are issued in accordance with this Directive, and that they comply with the Union standard specifications laid down in Annex I, and other criteria pursuant to: (a) Article 4, for physical driving licences; (b) Article 5, for mobile driving licences. 2. Member States shall ensure that physical and mobile driving licences issued to the same person are fully equivalent as regards the rights and conditions under which that person is authorised to drive, and as to their administrative validity. 3. Without prejudice to the handling of existing driving licences in cases of exchange or replacement, in accordance with Article 13(3) and (4), Member States shall not, as a prerequisite, require the possession of a physical or mobile driving licence from the applicant when issuing, replacing, renewing or exchanging a driving licence in the other format. 4. Effective from the date 54 months from the date of the adoption of the first of the implementing acts in accordance with Article 5(7), Member States shall ensure that mobile driving licences are issued as the default format of the driving licence, without prejudice to the right of the applicant to obtain the driving licence in a physical format or in both formats through one and the same application at the same time. After the issuance of a driving licence in one format, the holder of a driving licence shall continue to have the right to request the issuance of a driving licence in the other format, including when that holder’s driving licence has not yet expired. 5. Member States may issue mobile driving licences before the date referred to in paragraph 4. 6. Driving licences issued by Member States shall be mutually recognised. However, mobile driving licences issued in accordance with Article 5 shall be mutually recognised only after the date laid down in paragraph 4 of this Article.
Article 4 Physical driving licences
1. Member States shall issue physical driving licences based on the Union standard specifications laid down in Annex I. 2. Member States shall take all necessary steps to avoid any risk of forgery of driving licences, including driving licences issued before 19 January 2013. They shall inform the Commission of the steps taken. Physical driving licences shall be protected against forgery, at the minimum, by means of the Union standard specifications laid down in Annex I, Part A2. Member States may introduce additional security features. 3. Where the holder of a valid physical driving licence which does not have a period of administrative validity, takes up normal residence in a Member State other than the Member State of issuance, the host Member State may, as of two years from the date on which the holder has taken up normal residence on its territory, apply the periods of administrative validity set out in Article 10(2), by renewing the driving licence. 4. Member States shall ensure that, by 19 January 2033, all physical driving licences issued or in circulation fulfil all the requirements of this Directive. 5. Member States may decide to incorporate a microchip as part of the physical driving licence. Where a Member State decides to incorporate a microchip as part of its physical driving licence, it may, where its national laws related to driving licences so provide, also decide to store on the microchip data additional to those specified in Annex I, Part D. Where Member States provide for a microchip as part of the physical driving licence, they shall, at the minimum, apply the relevant technical requirements laid down in Annex I, Parts B to B4. Member States may introduce additional security features. Where Member States adopt a decision to incorporate a microchip in the physical driving licences that are issued by them, or where they subsequently amend that decision, they shall inform the Commission within three months of the adoption of the relevant decision. Member States that have already incorporated a microchip in their physical driving licences shall inform the Commission accordingly by 26 February 2026. 6. Member States may decide to incorporate, in the space reserved for the microchip in the physical driving licences that are issued by them, a QR code instead of, or together with, the microchip. The QR code shall make it possible to verify the authenticity of the information reported on the physical driving licence. Member States shall inform the Commission of any measure aimed at the introduction of a QR code on their driving licences and of any subsequent amendments to such a measure, within three months of its adoption. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down detailed provisions concerning the interoperability features and the security measures to be complied with by QR codes incorporated in physical driving licences. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 26(2). 7. Member States shall ensure that the personal data necessary for the verification of the information reported on the physical driving licence are not retained by the verifier, unless such retention is authorised by Union or national law, and shall ensure that the authority which issued the driving licence is not notified of the verification. 8. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 25, to amend Annex I, Parts A1 and A2, B to B4 and D, where necessary in order to take account of technical, operational or scientific developments.
Article 5 Mobile driving licences
1. Member States shall issue mobile driving licences based on the Union standard specifications laid down in Annex I, Part C. 2. Each Member State shall ensure that the mobile driving licences it issues are retrievable electronically free of charge by the persons holding them. Mobile driving licences shall be issued to holders to be used with European Digital Identity Wallets as electronic attestations of attributes, in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 18 ) . 3. Member States shall ensure that mobile driving licences do not contain data in addition to those referred to in Annex I, Part D, and that personal data other than those necessary for the verification of the driving rights of the holder are not processed by the verifier for the purpose of verification. 4. Member States shall ensure that the personal data necessary for the verification of the driving rights of the holder of the mobile driving licence are not retained by the verifier, unless such retention is authorised by Union or national law. 5. Member States shall communicate to the Commission a list of issuers of mobile driving licences, and shall keep that list up to date. The Commission shall make those lists available to the public through a secure channel and in an electronically signed or sealed form suitable for automated processing. 6. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 25, to amend Annex I, Part C, where necessary in order to take account of technical, operational or scientific developments. 7. By 26 November 2026, the Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down detailed provisions concerning the visual appearance, interoperability, testing, data and record updating standards and security of mobile driving licences, organisational measures for the processing and protection of personal data, and the technical and security standards for the exchange of mobile driving licences and the trusted lists of trusted issuers for verifying mobile driving licences, including verification features and the interface with national systems. The Commission shall, to the extent possible, take into account the general framework and technical specifications necessary for the recognition of those driving licences by third country authorities. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 26(2).
Article 6 Driving licence categories
1. The driving licence shall entitle the holder to drive power-driven vehicles according to the following categorisation: (a) mopeds: category AM: — two-wheel vehicles or three-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed of not more than 45 km/h and a maximum net power not exceeding 4 kW, excluding those with a maximum design speed under or equal to 25 km/h; — light quadricycles; (b) motorcycles and powered tricycles: (i) category A1: — motorcycles with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125 cubic centimetres, of a maximum net power not exceeding 11 kW and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0,1 kW/kg; — powered tricycles with a maximum net power not exceeding 15 kW; (ii) category A2: — motorcycles of a maximum net power not exceeding 35 kW and with a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0,2 kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle the net power of which exceeds 70 kW; (iii) category A: — motorcycles; — powered tricycles with a maximum net power exceeding 15 kW; Power-driven vehicles in the categories referred to in point (a) and in this point may be combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed half the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. Member States may apply additional conditions to the driving licences they issue, based on considerations of road safety. (c) motor vehicles: (i) category B1: — heavy quadricycles. Category B1 is optional; in Member States which do not introduce this category of driving licence, a driving licence for category B shall be required to drive such vehicles. Those Member States may refuse to exchange a driving licence in respect of category B1; Member States may also decide to introduce, for driving on their territory, this category exclusively for the vehicles referred to in Article 9(4), first subparagraph, point (c), under the conditions provided for in that paragraph and subject to the additional requirements that the driver is under 21 years of age at the time the driving licence is issued, and that the driving licence for this category expires when the holder turns 21. Where a Member State decides to do so it shall mark the driving licence with Union code 60.03, set out in Annex I, Part E. (ii) category B: — motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3 500 kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver. — motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O 1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O 2 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(ii), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858, provided that the maximum authorised mass of this combination does not exceed 4 250 kg. Where the mass of such a combination exceeds 3 500 kg, Member States shall, in accordance with Annex V, require that this combination be driven only after: — a training course has been completed; or — a test of skills and behaviour has been passed. Member States may also require both such a training course and the passing of a test of skills and behaviour. On condition that such a training course has been completed or test has been passed, or both, in accordance with Annex V, and without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in this category may consist of: — a motor caravan with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg but not exceeding 4 250 kg, including in combination with a trailer, if the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 5 000 kg; — subject to an authorisation by a Member State in accordance with the conditions provided for in Article 9(4), point (d), a power-driven emergency vehicle used for the purpose of maintaining public safety and order, including by providing immediate assistance during natural or man-made emergencies, such as police vehicles, ambulances, civil protection and rescue vehicles, or fire brigade vehicles, with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg but not exceeding, including when combined with a trailer, 5 000 kg; or — an alternatively-fuelled motor vehicle falling under the equivalence referred to in Article 9(2), point (j), in combination with a trailer, not already covered by the second indent, if the maximum authorised mass of this combination exceeds 4 250 kg but does not exceed 5 000 kg. Member States shall indicate on the driving licence, by means of the relevant Union code, set out in Annex I, Part E, the entitlement to drive such a combination, motor caravan or emergency vehicle. (iii) category BE: — without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles consisting of a tractor vehicle in category B and a trailer or semi-trailer of mass categories O 1 or O 2 as laid down in Article 4(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858; (iv) category C1: — motor vehicles other than those in categories D1 or D, the maximum authorised mass of which exceeds 3 500 kg, but does not exceed 7 500 kg, and which are designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; — motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O 1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858; (v) category C1E: — without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category C1 and its trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 750 kg, provided that the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 000 kg; — without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category B and its trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 3 500 kg, provided that the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 000 kg. (vi) category C: — motor vehicles other than those in categories D1 or D, the maximum authorised mass of which exceeds 3 500 kg and which are designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; — motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O 1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858. (vii) category CE: — without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category C and its trailer or semi-trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 750 kg; (viii) category D1: — motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of more than 8 but no more than 16 passengers in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 meters; — motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O 1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858; (ix) category D1E: — without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category D1 and its trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 750 kg. (x) category D: — motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver; — motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer of category O 1 referred to in Article 4(1), point (c)(i), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858; (xi) category DE: — without prejudice to the type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category D and its trailer has a maximum authorised mass which exceeds 750 kg. 2. Member States may exclude from the application of this Article certain specific types of power-driven vehicles, including special vehicles for persons with disabilities, subject to the prior agreement of the Commission, which shall be based on an assessment of the impact on road safety of the proposed exclusion. Member States may exclude from the application of this Directive types of vehicles used by, or under the control of, the armed forces and civil defence bodies. They shall inform the Commission thereof.
Article 7 Minimum ages
1. The minimum age of an applicant to whom a driving licence can be issued shall be as follows: (a) 16 years for categories AM, A1 and B1; (b) 18 years for categories A2, B, BE, C1 and C1E; (c) with regard to category A: (i) 20 years for motorcycles. However, the driving of motorcycles of this category shall be subject to a minimum of two years’ prior experience driving motorcycles under a category A2 driving licence. Such requirement of having two years’ prior experience may be waived if the applicant is at least 24 years old; (ii) 21 years for powered tricycles exceeding 15 kW; (d) 21 years for categories C, CE, D1 and D1E; (e) 18 years for categories C and CE provided that the driver holds a certificate of professional competence (CPC) as referred to in Article 6(1) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561; (f) 24 years for categories D and DE; (g) 21 years for categories D and DE provided that the driver holds a CPC as referred to in Article 6(1) or 6(2) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561. 2. Member States may raise or lower the minimum age for issuing a driving licence: (a) for category AM, down to 14 years or up to 18 years; (b) for category B1, up to 18 years; For category B1, Member States may, subject to the prior agreement of the Commission, nevertheless lower the minimum age to 15 years for issuing a driving licence limited to their territory, for the vehicles referred to in Article 9(4), point (c), and under the conditions specified in Article 6(1), point (c)(i) and in Article 9(4), point (c); (c) for category A1, up to 18 years, provided that both of the following conditions are fulfilled: (i) there is a difference of at least two years between the minimum age for category A1 and the minimum age for category A2; (ii) there is a requirement of a minimum of two years’ experience on motorcycles of category A2, before allowing the driving of motorcycles of category A, as referred to in paragraph 1, point (c)(i); (d) for categories B and BE, down to 17 years; (e) for categories D1, D1E, D and DE, down to 18 years, provided that the following conditions are fulfilled: (i) the driver holds a CPC as referred to in Article 6(1) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561; (ii) for categories D and DE only, the driver is subject to the restrictions set out in Article 5(3), third subparagraph, of Directive (EU) 2022/2561; (f) for categories D and DE down to 20 years, provided that the driver holds a CPC as referred to in Article 6(1) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561. 3. Member States may lower the minimum age for category C to 18 years, and for category D to 21 years with regard to: (a) power-driven emergency vehicles used for the purpose of maintaining public safety and order, including by providing immediate assistance during natural or man-made emergencies, such as police vehicles, ambulances, civil protection and rescue vehicles, or fire brigade vehicles; (b) vehicles undergoing road tests for repair or maintenance purposes. 4. Driving licences issued in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 shall be valid only on the territory of the issuing Member State until the driving licence holder has reached the minimum age set out in paragraph 1, after which they shall be valid throughout the Union. Member States may recognise the validity on their territory of driving licences issued to drivers under the minimum ages set out in paragraph 1. However they shall not recognise the validity of driving licences issued under paragraph 2, points (b), (e) and (f). Member States may recognise mutually on their respective territories the validity of driving licences issued to drivers under the minimum ages as set out in paragraph 3, point (a).
Article 8 Conditions and restrictions
1. In the event that Member States issue a driving licence subject to conditions, they shall indicate those conditions on the driving licence, by means of the relevant Union codes, set out in Annex I, Part E. They may also use national codes to indicate conditions not covered by Annex I, Part E. Where they do so, they shall inform the Commission in a timely manner and provide it with details of the national codes and the cases in which they are used, both upon the entry into force of this Directive and in the event of subsequent additions to or modifications of such national codes. If, due to a physical disability of the driver, a driving licence is issued to the driver in respect of only certain types of vehicles or only for vehicles adapted in order to compensate for such a physical disability, the test of skills and behaviour provided for in Article 10(1) shall be taken in such a vehicle. Member States shall adopt the provisions necessary to enable persons who have a physical disability to take their test in a vehicle adapted for their physical disability. 2. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 25, to amend Annex I, Part E, where necessary in order to take account of technical, operational or scientific developments.
Article 9 Staging and equivalences between categories
1. Driving licences of categories BE, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE shall be issued only to drivers already entitled to drive vehicles in category B. 2. The validity of driving licences shall be determined as follows: (a) driving licences issued for categories C1E, CE, D1E or DE shall also be valid for combinations of vehicles in category BE; (b) driving licences issued for category CE shall also be valid for category DE, if their holders are entitled to drive vehicles in category D; (c) driving licences issued for category C1E or CE shall also be valid for category D1E, if their holders are entitled to drive vehicles in category D1; (d) driving licences issued for categories CE and DE shall also be valid for categories C and C1, and D and D1, respectively; (e) driving licences issued for category CE and DE shall also be valid for combinations of vehicles in categories C1E and D1E respectively; (f) driving licences issued for category C1E and D1E shall also be valid for categories C1 and D1, respectively; (g) driving licences issued for any category shall also be valid for power-driven vehicles in category AM. However, for driving licences issued on its territory, a Member State may limit the equivalences for category AM to driving licences for categories A1, A2 and A, if that Member State imposes a practical test as a condition for obtaining a driving licence for category AM. (h) driving licences issued for category A2 shall also be valid for category A1; (i) driving licences issued for categories A, B, C or D shall also be valid for categories A1 and A2; B1; C1; D1, respectively; (j) two years after a category B driving licence was issued for the first time, it shall also be valid for driving motor vehicles, including power-driven emergency vehicles used for the purpose of maintaining public safety and order including by providing immediate assistance during natural or man-made emergencies, such as police vehicles, ambulances, civil protection and rescue vehicles, or fire brigade vehicles, powered wholly or in part by alternative fuels as defined in Article 2 of Directive 96/53/EC, and which have been approved under Regulation (EU) 2018/858, with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg but not exceeding 4 250 kg. Where the condition laid down in Article 6(1), point (c)(ii), of this Directive is met, those vehicles may be combined with a trailer, provided that the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 5 000 kg. Motor caravans shall not be covered by the equivalence referred to in this point; (k) two years after a category BE driving licence was issued for the first time, it shall also be valid for driving a combination of a motor vehicle, powered wholly or in part by alternative fuels as defined in Article 2 of Directive 96/53/EC and which has been approved under Regulation (EU) 2018/858, with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg, but not exceeding 4 250 kg, as a tractor vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer of mass categories O 1 or O 2 laid down in Article 4(1), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2018/858. 3. For driving on their respective territories, Member States may grant the following equivalences: (a) powered tricycles under a driving licence for category B, for powered tricycles with a maximum net power exceeding 15 kW, provided that the holder of the driving licence for category B is at least 21 years old; (b) category A1 motorcycles under a driving licence for category B. The equivalences provided for in the first subparagraph shall be mutually recognised by the Member States that granted them. Member States shall indicate on the driving licence that a holder is entitled to drive the vehicles referred to in the first subparagraph only by means of the relevant Union codes, set out in Annex I, Part E. Member States shall inform the Commission without delay about equivalences referred to in the first subparagraph that are granted on their territories, including any related national codes which were used before 25 November 2025. The Commission shall make that information available to Member States. 4. Member States may authorise the driving on their territory of the following categories of vehicles: (a) vehicles of category D1 with a maximum authorised mass of 3 500 kg, excluding any specialised equipment intended for the carriage of passengers with disabilities, by drivers over 21 years old holding a category B driving licence, at least two years after such a driving licence was issued to the driver for the first time and provided that the vehicles are used by non-commercial entities for social purposes and that the driver provides his or her services on a voluntary basis; (b) vehicles of a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg by drivers aged over 21 years holding a category B driving licence, at least two years after such a driving licence was issued to the driver for the first time, provided that those vehicles fulfil all of the following conditions: (i) they are intended to be used, when stationary, only as an instructional or recreational facility; (ii) they are used by non-commercial entities for social purposes; (iii) they have been modified so that they can neither be used for the transport of more than nine persons nor for the transport of any goods other than those strictly necessary for the purposes set out in points (i) and (ii); (c) vehicles of category B with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 2 500 kg and with a maximum speed limited by technical means to 45 km/h, by drivers below 21 years old holding a category B1 driving licence, which was issued subject to the conditions set out in Article 6(1), point (c)(i), second subparagraph, and, if relevant, Article 7(2), point (b); (d) power-driven vehicles used for the purpose of maintaining public safety and order, including by providing immediate assistance during natural or man-made emergencies, such as police vehicles, ambulances, civil protection and rescue vehicles, or fire brigade vehicles, with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg but not exceeding 5 000 kg, which may be combined with a trailer when the maximum authorised mass of this combination does not exceed 5 000 kg, by drivers who have reached the age of 20 years, holding a category B driving licence, having completed the training, testing, or both, required under Article 6(1), point (c)(ii), and who are driving solely for the purpose that the emergency vehicle is intended for, including necessary maintenance and test drives. Where Member States indicate on the driving licence that a holder is entitled to drive the vehicles referred to in the first subparagraph, points (a) and (b), they shall do so only by means of relevant national codes. Member States may, temporarily or indefinitely, mutually recognise on their respective territories the validity of driving licences issued under the first subparagraph, point (d). Member States shall inform the Commission of any authorisations granted in accordance with this paragraph. 5. Member States shall be entitled to authorise the driving of vehicles of category D or D1, on their territories, by holders of a driving licence issued for category C, provided that no other person is transported in the vehicle and provided that the driver is a person who is: (a) executing a roadworthiness test in accordance with Directive 2014/45/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 19 ) , within a 5 km radius from the testing centre; or (b) a mechanic of a vehicle repair workshop performing a test drive, within a 5 km radius from the workshop, once the vehicle has been repaired, or for maintenance or inspection purposes, respectively. When leaving the test centre or workshop, the holder of the category C driving licence shall be in a position to prove during any inspection that the vehicle is being driven for the purpose of a roadworthiness test as referred to in point (a) or for a test drive as referred to in point (b). Member States shall inform the Commission of any authorisations granted in accordance with this paragraph.
Article 10 Issue, validity and renewal
1. Driving licences shall be issued only to applicants who meet the following conditions: (a) they have passed a test of skills and behaviour and a theory test, in accordance with Annex II, and they meet the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving, in accordance with Annex III; (b) as regards category AM, they have passed a theory test only; Member States may nevertheless require applicants to pass a test of skills and behaviour and may apply Article 11 in respect of this category. For three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles within this category, Member States may impose a specific test of skills and behaviour. For the differentiation of vehicles in category AM, a national code may be inserted on the driving licence; (c) as regards category A2 or category A, and on the condition that they have acquired a minimum of two years' experience driving a motorcycle in category A1 or in category A2 respectively, either: (i) have passed a test of skills and behaviour only; or (ii) have completed training pursuant to Annex VI; (d) they have completed training or passed a test of skills and behaviour, or completed training and passed a test of skills and behaviour pursuant to Annex V as regards category B for driving a vehicle combination, motor caravan, emergency vehicle or alternatively fuelled vehicle referred to in Article 6(1), point (c)(ii); (e) they have their normal residence in the territory of the Member State issuing the driving licence, or fall within the exceptions laid down in Article 20(3) or (4), or can produce evidence that, at the time they submit their application, they have been studying there for at least the preceding six months. 2. The duration of the administrative validity of driving licences issued by Member States shall be as follows: (a) 15 years for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1 and BE. Member States may reduce that duration to 10 years in the event that their national law allows the driving licence to also be used as a personal identification document; (b) five years for categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 and D1E. The renewal of a driving licence may trigger a new period of administrative validity for one or more categories that the holder is entitled to drive, in so far as that is in conformity with this Directive. The presence of a microchip or QR code pursuant to Article 4(5) and (6) respectively shall not be a prerequisite for a driving licence to be valid. The loss or unreadability of the microchip or of the QR code, or any other damage thereto, shall not affect the validity of the driving licence. Member States may, for the purpose of improving road safety, limit the period of administrative validity of any category of driving licences issued to novice drivers in order to apply specific measures to such drivers. Member States may limit the period of administrative validity of individual driving licences for any category if it is necessary to apply an increased frequency of medical checks, self-assessments or other specific measures, including restrictions for traffic offenders. Member States shall limit the period of administrative validity of individual driving licences in accordance with Article 6(1), point (c)(i), second subparagraph. The driving licence so limited shall not be renewable. Member States may reduce the periods of administrative validity set out in the first subparagraph, for driving licences of holders residing on their territory who have reached the age of 65 years, in order to require that medical checks, self-assessments or other specific measures, including refresher courses, be carried out more frequently. Such reduced period of administrative validity shall be applied only upon the renewal of the driving licence. Member States may reduce the period of administrative validity set out in this paragraph of the driving licences of persons who have been granted a temporary residence permit or who benefit on their territories from temporary protection, or from adequate protection under national law. 3. The renewal of driving licences upon the expiry of their administrative validity shall be subject to both of the following conditions: (a) continuing compliance of the applicant for the renewal with the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving set out in Annex III; (b) that the applicant for the renewal has his or her normal residence in the territory of the Member State issuing the driving licence, or fall within the exceptions laid down in Article 20(3), or evidence that the applicant for the renewal has been studying there for at least the preceding six months, at the time they submit their application. 4. Without prejudice to national criminal laws and policing laws, Member States may apply to the issuing of driving licences national provisions relating to conditions other than those set out in this Directive. They shall inform the Commission thereof. 5. No person may hold more than one driving licence. A mobile driving licence may, however, be simultaneously displayed on more than one electronic device. A Member State shall refuse to issue a driving licence if the applicant already holds a driving licence issued by another Member State. Member States shall take the measures necessary to apply the second subparagraph. The measures necessary as regards the issuing, replacement, renewal or exchange of a driving licence shall, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the applicant is already the holder of another driving licence, include verifying with other Member States whether the applicant is the holder of another driving licence. To that end, Member States shall use the EU driving licence network. Without prejudice to Article 3(6), a Member State issuing a driving licence shall apply due diligence to ensure that a person fulfils the requirements set out in paragraph 1 of this Article, and shall apply its national provisions on the cancellation of the driving licence or of the right to drive if it is established that a given driving licence has been issued without those requirements having been met. 6. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 25, to amend Annexes II, III, V and VI where necessary in order to take account of technical, operational or scientific developments.
Article 11 Compliance with the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness
1. Member States shall, before a driving licence is issued for the first time, ensure that applicants undergo a medical examination in which the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness covering all the medical conditions set out in Annex III are applied. That applies to the issuance of driving licences in category AM only if so required by the Member State in question in accordance with Article 10(1), point (b). A medical examination shall, however, be required in respect of applications for driving licences of categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, D1, DE or D1E, regardless of whether a medical examination was undertaken for another category. 2. Before a driving licence is renewed, applicants for the renewal shall undergo a medical examination covering the medical conditions set out in Annex III. This shall apply to the renewal of driving licences in category AM only if so required by the Member State in question in accordance with Article 10(1), point (b). 3. Notwithstanding paragraphs 1 and 2, and to the extent not otherwise provided for by Annex III, such as in the case of the appropriate assessment of eyesight for applicants for driving licences in accordance with Annex III, point 3, Member States may, for categories AM, A, A1, A2, B, B1 and BE, instead of requiring a medical examination, apply one or both of the following alternative measures: (a) require the applicant or holder of the driving licence to fill in a self-assessment form covering the medical conditions set out in Annex III when applying for the issuance or renewal of a driving licence; or (b) establish a national system of assessment of fitness to drive to ensure that significant changes in physical or mental fitness are reacted to in order to comply with the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness set out in Annex III, after the driving licence has been issued to the applicant following a medical examination or self-assessment. 4. Member States may provide for appropriate measures to address non-compliance with the requirement to fill in a self-assessment form or for knowingly providing information in the self-assessment form that is incorrect or incomplete, or for failing to meet any requirement established in accordance with paragraph 3, point (b). 5. Member States may apply the alternative measure under paragraph 3, point (b), in such a way that it allows the monitoring of fitness to drive during periods of administrative validity. 6. If, on the basis of information acquired pursuant to the various alternative measures set out in paragraph 3, it becomes apparent that the applicant or holder of a driving licence is likely to have one or more of the medical conditions listed in Annex III, Member States shall ensure that the applicant or holder of the driving licence undergoes a medical examination prior to the Member States issuing or renewing the driving licence. 7. This Article shall not prevent Member States from taking measures to raise awareness and improve the knowledge of the health sector and of driving licence holders about the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving set out in Annex III. If Member States adopt guidelines for medical practitioners to help identify driving licence holders who no longer meet the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness to drive, they shall inform the Commission thereof. The Commission shall make the guidelines available to the other Member States. If Member States develop public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about mental or physical health conditions that may impair fitness to drive, they shall inform the Commission thereof. The Commission shall make the information available to the other Member States. 8. The standards set by Member States for the issuance or any subsequent renewal of driving licences may be stricter than those set out in Annex III.
Article 12 Extension of validity in the event of a crisis
1. In the event of a crisis, Members States may extend the period of administrative validity of driving licences that would otherwise expire, for a maximum period of six months. The extension may be renewed where the crisis persists. 2. Any such extension shall be duly justified and notified immediately to the Commission. The Commission shall immediately publish this information in the Official Journal of the European Union . Member States shall recognise the validity of driving licences the period of administrative validity of which has been extended under this Article. 3. On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency relating to the crisis referred to in paragraph 1 that affects two or more Member States, the Commission may adopt immediately applicable implementing acts in order to extend the period of administrative validity of all or certain categories of driving licences that would otherwise expire. That extension shall not exceed six months and may be renewed where the crisis persists. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26(3). 4. Where a Member State is not, and is not likely to be, affected by difficulties that rendered the renewal of driving licences impracticable as a consequence of the crisis affecting two or more Member States referred to in paragraph 3, or has taken appropriate national measures to mitigate the impact of that crisis, that Member State may, after having informed the Commission, decide not to apply the extension introduced by the implementing act referred to in paragraph 3. The Commission shall inform the other Member States thereof and publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union .
Article 13 Exchange and replacement of driving licences issued by Member States
1. Where the holder of a valid driving licence issued by one Member State has taken up normal residence in another Member State, the holder may request from the Member State of normal residence that that holder’s driving licence be exchanged for an equivalent driving licence. The Member State requested to perform the exchange shall check in respect of which category or categories the driving licence the exchange of which is requested is still valid. 2. Subject to the principle of territoriality of criminal laws and policing laws, the Member State of normal residence may apply its national provisions on the cancellation, withdrawal, suspension or restriction of the right to drive of the holder of a driving licence issued by another Member State and, if necessary, may exchange the driving licence for that purpose. 3. The Member State exchanging a physical driving licence shall return the old driving licence to the authorities of the Member State of issuance, and give the reasons for the exchange. The Member State exchanging a mobile driving licence shall inform the authorities of the Member State of issuance and give the reasons for the exchange. The Member State of issuance shall ensure that the previous mobile driving licence can no longer be displayed through the electronic device used for this purpose by the holder of the driving licence. The Member States shall use the EU driving licence network for communication purposes. 4. Replacements for physical driving licences which have been damaged, lost or stolen, and replacements for physical or mobile driving licences of which a fraudulent use was made, may be obtained only from the competent authorities of the Member State in which the holder of the driving licence has his or her normal residence, or of the Member State of issuance if Article 20(3) is applied. Those authorities shall provide the replacement on the basis of the information in their possession or, where appropriate, on the basis of proof from the competent authorities of the Member State of issuance of the original driving licence. If a driving licence was replaced by a Member State other than the Member State of issuance and the replaced driving licence is still in the possession of, or can be displayed by, the holder of the driving licence in question, the procedures set out in paragraph 3 shall apply.
Article 14 Attesting the right to drive during exchange or replacement
During the replacement or exchange of a driving licence, the Member State performing the replacement or exchange shall ensure that the competent authorities of the Member States are able to verify the validity of the driving rights of the holder of the driving licence, in particular during roadside checks. To that end, the Member State shall provide the necessary information about the replacement or exchange of a driving licence without delay in the EU driving licence network where the duration of the exchange or replacement procedure makes it necessary. In such cases, the Member State shall provide the holder of the driving licence concerned with a document indicating that a request for the replacement or exchange of that holder’s driving licence has been made.
Article 15 Exchange of driving licences issued by third countries
1. Where a Member State provides for the exchange of a driving licence issued by a third country to a holder of the driving licence that has taken up normal residence in its territory, that Member State shall exchange the driving licence in accordance with this Article. 2. Where a Member State exchanges a driving licence issued by a third country that has not been the subject of an implementing act adopted pursuant to paragraph 7 of this Article, such exchange shall be recorded on the driving licence issued by that Member State by using the relevant code set out in Annex I, Part E, as shall any subsequent renewal or replacement. If the holder of that driving licence subsequently transfers his or her normal residence to another Member State, the latter may decide not to apply the principle of mutual recognition set out in Article 3(6). Member States shall apply, for such exchanges, their national law, in accordance with the conditions provided for in this paragraph. 3. Where the driving licence is issued in a category and by a third country that has been the subject of an implementing act adopted pursuant to paragraph 7, such exchange shall be recorded on the driving licence issued by the Member State concerned by using the relevant code set out in Annex I, Part E. In those cases, Member States shall exchange the driving licence in accordance with the conditions set out in the relevant implementing act. 4. Where a driving licence issued by a Member State was exchanged for a driving licence of a third country, Member States shall not require the fulfilment of any additional conditions other than those set out in Article 10(3), point (a), or record any additional information for exchanging that third-country driving licence, as regards the categories of the initial driving licence. In the situation referred to in the first subparagraph, where an applicant requests to exchange a driving licence that is also valid for categories concerning which the applicant acquired the right to drive in a third country, the following rules shall apply: (a) if the driving licence was issued for a category and by a third country that has been the subject of an implementing act adopted pursuant to paragraph 7, paragraph 3 shall apply; (b) in the absence of an implementing act adopted pursuant to paragraph 7, paragraph 2 shall apply. 5. The exchanges referred to in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 shall occur only if the driving licence issued by the third country has been surrendered to the competent authorities of the Member State requested to make the exchange. 6. The Commission may determine that a third country has a road transport framework guaranteeing, wholly or partially, a level of road safety that is comparable to that of the Union, which makes it possible for the driving licences issued by that third country to be exchanged, if necessary after complying with certain pre-defined conditions, in accordance with paragraph 3. Where the Commission makes the determination referred to in the first subparagraph, it may, in cooperation with the Member States, assess the third country’s road transport framework. Member States shall provide their opinion on the road transport framework in place in the identified third country within a period to be set by the Commission. That period shall be at least 6 months and no more than 18 months long. The Commission shall proceed with the assessment once it has received an opinion from all Member States or once the time limit for sending the opinions has passed, whichever is earlier. When assessing the road transport framework in place in a third country, the Commission shall take into account at least the following elements: (a) the driver licensing requirements in place, such as the classification of driving licence categories, minimum age requirements, training and driving tests requirements and conditions, and medical standards for issuing the driving licence; (b) whether the third country issues mobile driving licences and, if so, the applicable technical and structural arrangements for operating the system; (c) the extent to which there are forged driving licences in circulation, and what measures are taken to prevent the forgery of, and corruption in relation to, driving licences; (d) the period of administrative validity of the driving licences issued by the third country; (e) the traffic conditions in the third country, and whether they are comparable to the traffic conditions on the road networks in the Union; (f) the road safety performance of the third country; (g) the third country’s practice and legal framework in exchanging driving licences issued by Member States. 7. The Commission may, after conducting the assessment referred to in paragraph 6 and by means of an implementing act, decide that a third country has a road transport framework in place that wholly or partially guarantees a level of road safety that is comparable to that of the Union, in order for the driving licences issued by that third country to be exchanged in accordance with paragraph 3. The implementing act referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall contain at least: (a) the driving licence categories referred to in Article 6, in respect of which an exchange may be made in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article; (b) the dates of issuance of the third country driving licences after which an exchange may be made in accordance with paragraph 3; (c) any general conditions to be complied with for the purpose of verifying the authenticity of the official document to be exchanged; (d) any general conditions with which the applicant has to comply, prior to the exchange, in order to demonstrate that the applicant meets the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness set out in Annex III. Where the driving licence of the applicant does not make it possible for the applicant to comply with the second subparagraph, point (a) or (b), of this paragraph, Member States may decide to exchange the driving licence in accordance with paragraph 2. Where the applicant is not able to comply with the second subparagraph, points (c) or (d), of this paragraph, Member States shall refuse to exchange the driving licence. Any additional condition set out in the implementing act referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall provide for either the applicability of the national provisions of the Member State in accordance with paragraph 2, or for the refusal of the exchange of the driving licence, where such conditions are not complied with by the applicant. The implementing act under this paragraph shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 26(2). 8. The implementing act adopted pursuant to paragraph 7 shall provide for a periodic review by the Commission, at least every four years, of the road safety situation in the third country concerned. Member States shall have the possibility to provide their opinions. Depending on the conclusions of the review, the Commission shall maintain, amend or suspend, to the extent necessary, or shall repeal that implementing act. 9. The Commission shall publish in the Official Journal of the European Union and on its website a list of the third countries that have been the subject of an implementing act adopted pursuant to paragraph 7, and shall also publish any relevant changes made in accordance with paragraph 8. 10. To support the integration of third-country professional drivers into the internal market of the Union, the Commission shall promote the exchange of best practices within the expert group on the qualification and training of drivers of certain road vehicles that has been established pursuant to the requirement laid down in Article 13(4) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561.
Article 16 Effects of the cancellation, withdrawal, suspension or restriction of the right to drive of a driver of a power-driven vehicle, of his or her driving licence or of the recognition of the validity of his or her driving licence
1. Member States shall refuse to issue driving licences to applicants whose driving licence has been cancelled, withdrawn, suspended or restricted in another Member State. 2. A Member State shall refuse to recognise the validity of any driving licence issued by another Member State to a person whose right to drive, driving licence, or the recognition of the validity of whose driving licence is cancelled, withdrawn, suspended or restricted in the former Member State’s territory. 3. The right to drive, a driving licence or the recognition of its validity shall be considered as cancelled, withdrawn, suspended or restricted for the purposes of this Article, until the person concerned complies with any conditions imposed by a Member State, in order to recover the right to drive or his or her driving licence, or to regain the recognition of the validity of his or her driving licence, or to be able to apply for a new driving licence. Member States shall ensure that any conditions they impose in order for a person to be allowed to recover the right to drive, or his or her driving licence or to regain the recognition of the validity of his or her driving licence, or to be allowed to apply for a new driving licence, are proportionate, non-discriminatory to holders of driving licences issued by any other Member State, and that they do not, by themselves, lead to a refusal of indefinite duration to issue a driving licence or to recognise a driving licence issued by another Member State. 4. Where it is justified on the basis of a person’s conduct or physical or mental fitness, Member States may disqualify that person from driving in their territory indefinitely without providing that person the possibility to recover the right to drive or his or her driving licence, or to regain the recognition of the validity of his or her driving licence, or to apply for a new driving licence. By way of derogation from paragraph 1, a Member State which has not disqualified that person from driving may, after consulting with the Member State as referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, issue a driving licence to that person. However, the Member State which disqualified that person from driving may refuse, in its territory and indefinitely, to recognise a driving licence issued by another Member State.
Article 17 Accompanied driving scheme
1. Notwithstanding Article 7(1), point (b), Member States shall issue driving licences, in accordance with Article 10(1), for category B marked with Union code 98.02 set out in Annex I, Part E, to applicants who have reached the age of 17 years. 2. By way of derogation from Article 7(1), points (b) and (d), respectively, Member States may, for driving on their respective territories, issue driving licences for category C1, C1E or C, in accordance with Article 10(1), provided the applicant holds a CPC awarded in accordance with Article 6(1) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561 for category C or in accordance with Article 6(2) of Directive (EU) 2022/2561 for categories C1 and C1E , marked with Union code 98.02 set out in Annex I, Part E, to applicants who have reached the age of 17 years. Driving licences issued in accordance with the first subparagraph shall be mutually recognised by the Member States that issue such driving licences. 3. Holders of a driving licence marked with Union code 98.02 set out in Annex I, Part E, who have not reached the age of 18 years shall drive only when accompanied by a person, in the front passenger seat, who is able to provide guidance to them while driving. The accompanying person shall comply with the rules on driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The accompanying person shall: (a) have a minimum age of 24 years; (b) hold a driving licence of the relevant category issued in the Union more than five years previously; (c) not have been subject to a driving disqualification in the Member State of issuance of the driving licence referred to in point (b) within the last five years. A Member State other than the Member State of issuance referred to in point (c) may provide for enforcing a driving disqualification within its territory, following an offence committed on its territory, which could imply a lack of aptitude to act as an accompanying person under this Article. 4. Member States may require the identification of the accompanying persons referred to in paragraph 3 in order to ensure compliance with this Article. Member States may limit the number of possible accompanying persons in respect of a given accompanied driver. Member States may on their territory apply additional conditions to be fulfilled by the person accompanying the holder of a driving licence issued by them. Such conditions shall be proportionate and suitable as regards achieving the aims of the accompanied driving scheme. Member States shall inform the Commission of those additional conditions. The Commission shall make the information on those additional conditions available to the public. For a person accompanying a holder of a driving licence of categories C, C1E or C1, the requirements referred to in the first subparagraph may include in particular, the requirement that the accompanying person: (a) have the relevant qualification and training provided in accordance with Directive (EU) 2022/2561; or (b) have undergone a dedicated training course of at least 7 hours, which may be increased to 14 hours, to learn the necessary professional and pedagogical skills, as part of his or her periodic CPC training. 5. The accompanied driving scheme shall not restrict any existing possibility that Member States have to lower the minimum age for applicants for category B driving licences as set out in Article 7(2) or to apply related conditions at national level. 6. Member States may apply additional conditions to the issuance of a driving licence marked with Union code 98.02 set out in Annex I, Part E, to applicants who have not reached the age of 18 years. They shall inform the Commission thereof. The Commission shall make this information available to the public.
Article 18 Probationary period
1. The holder of a driving licence issued after the passing of a driving test required under Article 10(1), point (a), shall be considered a ‘novice driver’ and shall be subject to a probationary period. The duration of the probationary period shall be determined by the Member State issuing the driving licence, and shall not be less than two years. If the novice driver already has a valid driving licence for another category of vehicle, the probationary period shall in principle include only what remains of the probationary period for the existing driving licence. However, for novice drivers having a category AM driving licence only, obtaining a licence of a new category shall in any case give rise to a new probationary period. Member States may, in respect of driving licences of categories other than AM issued by them, require an additional or supplementary probationary period, in particular to take account of the different risks and required skills associated with the new driving licence category. 2. Member States shall lay down rules or sanctions, or both, for driving under the influence of alcohol for novice drivers which are stricter than those for non-novice drivers, and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Where Member States decide to lay down sanctions, those sanctions shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non-discriminatory. In addition, Member States shall take measures with the purpose of reducing: (a) driving under the influence of drugs among novice drivers; (b) non-compliance with the laws, regulations and administrative provisions transposing Council Directive 91/671/EEC ( 20 ) relating to the compulsory use of safety belts and child-restraint systems in vehicles. 3. Nothing in this Article shall prevent Member States from introducing into their national law zero-tolerance provisions forbidding the consumption of alcohol or drugs for all drivers before driving. Where Member States introduce such zero-tolerance provisions into their national law, they shall take all the measures necessary to align their national law with the measures taken under paragraph 2. 4. Member States may establish additional rules applicable on their territories to novice drivers to improve road safety. They shall inform the Commission thereof. 5. If a competent authority of the Member State of normal residence decides to prolong a driver’s probationary period on account of any unlawful conduct of that person, it shall ensure that the new probationary period is recorded on the driving licence. 6. Member States shall mark driving licences issued during a probationary period with the relevant Union code set out in Annex I, Part E.
Article 19 Examiners
1. Driving examiners shall meet the minimum standards set out in Annex IV. Driving examiners already working in that capacity before 19 January 2013 shall be subject only to the requirements concerning quality assurance and regular periodic training measures laid down in that Annex. 2. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts, in accordance with Article 25, to amend Annex IV where necessary in order to take account of technical, operational or scientific developments.
Article 20 Normal residence
1. The place of normal residence shall be regarded as the place where a person usually lives, that is for at least 185 days of the previous 365 days, because of personal and occupational ties, or, in the case of a person with no occupational ties, because of personal ties which show close links between that person and the place where that person is living. However, the place of normal residence of a person whose occupational ties are in a different place from that person’s personal ties, and who consequently lives in turn in different places situated in two or more Member States, shall be regarded as being the place of that person’s personal ties, provided that such person returns there regularly. The person shall not be obliged to comply with this condition if he or she is living in a Member State in order to carry out a task of a definite duration. Attendance at a university or school shall not constitute transfer of normal residence. 2. For the purposes of Article 10(3), point (b), and Article 13(4), the place of normal residence of the staff of diplomatic services of the Union, that is to say officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and of the Commission, as well as staff seconded from Member States’ diplomatic services and any other employee or contractor working for the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies in the area of external representation and who, in order to be able to perform their contractual duties, have lived at least 181 days in the latest 365 days outside the Union, or staff of diplomatic services of its Member States, or of the members of their families forming part of their households, accredited to third countries shall be considered to be in the territory of the Member State or Member States of issuance of the driving licences that are being renewed or replaced. 3. In exceptional cases, where the holder of a driving licence cannot prove the establishment of his or her normal residence in a given Member State under paragraph 1, the holder may have his or her driving licence renewed or replaced in the Member State of issuance. 4. By way of derogation from Article 10(1), point (e), and for the specific purpose of the first issuance of a category B driving licence, an applicant whose Member State of normal residence is different from that applicant’s Member State of citizenship may have his or her driving licence issued by the latter, where it is not possible in the Member State of normal residence to take either the theory test or the practical test, or both of those tests, in an official language of the Member State of citizenship of the applicant that is also an official language of the Union, or with an interpreter. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1724, Member States and the Commission shall give users access to information on the languages for which translation or interpretation of theory tests and practical tests is being provided in each Member State.
Article 21 Equivalences between non-Union standard driving licences
1. Member States shall apply the equivalences established by Commission Decision (EU) 2016/1945 ( 21 ) between entitlements granted before 19 January 2013 and the categories set out in Article 6 of this Directive. 2. Any entitlement to drive granted before 19 January 2013 shall not be removed or be in any way qualified by this Directive.
Article 22 Mutual assistance and EU driving licence network
1. Member States shall assist one another in the implementation of this Directive. They shall exchange information on the driving licences they have issued, exchanged, replaced, renewed, restricted, suspended, withdrawn, cancelled or revoked, and on the driving disqualifications they have imposed or, where relevant, they plan to enact, and shall consult each other when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that an applicant for a driving licence is subject to a driving disqualification in another Member State. They shall use the EU driving licence network for the exchange of information. 2. Member States may also use the EU driving licence network for the exchange of information for the following purposes: (a) to enable their authorities to verify the validity and authenticity of a driving licence, in particular during roadside checks, during investigations or as part of anti-forgery measures; (b) to facilitate investigations in accordance with Directive (EU) 2015/413; (c) to enforce Directive (EU) 2022/2561, and to verify the validity and authenticity of a driving licence when enforcing Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 22 ) or Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 23 ) . 3. Access to the EU driving licence network shall be secure. The EU driving licence network shall provide for both synchronous, that is to say real time, and asynchronous exchange of information, and for the sending and receiving of secured messages, notifications and attachments. Member States shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the information exchanged through the EU driving licence network is up-to-date. Member States shall grant access to the EU driving licence network only to the authorities competent for the purposes referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2. 4. Member States shall also assist each other in the implementation of the mobile driving licence, in particular to guarantee seamless interoperability between the applications and verification features referred to in Annex I, Part C. 5. The Commission shall adopt by 6 June 2026 implementing acts laying down a common set of rules governing the operation of the EU driving licence network, including the detailed operational, interface and technical requirements. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 26(2). 6. Member States may cooperate in the enforcement of any cancellation, withdrawal, suspension or any restriction, of the right to drive or a driving licence, or of the recognition of the driving licence’s validity, in particular where the relevant measures are limited to certain driving licence categories or to the territories of certain Member States, in particular through endorsements on the driving licences they have issued.
Article 23 Reporting by Member States
1. Member States shall inform the Commission on a yearly basis about the number of driving licences issued, renewed, replaced, withdrawn and exchanged, for each category of driving licence. The data shall be provided separately for mobile driving licences and physical driving licences. 2. By 26 November 2029, and every five years thereafter, by way of facilitating the preparation of the Commission’s report referred to in Article 24, Member States shall provide the Commission with statistics on road traffic accidents in which a person is injured or killed, involving drivers in professional occupation, in particular drivers of 17 years of age participating in an accompanied driving scheme referred to in Article 17(2). 3. Member States may periodically share data with the Commission on national law on the handling of non-road mobile machinery and on related road safety considerations, and may provide information where concerns related to the free movement of workers are observed.
Article 24 Review and reporting by the Commission
1. By 26 November 2030, and every five years thereafter, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the implementation of this Directive. As part of the report, the Commission shall assess: (a) the Directive’s impact on road safety, in particular: (i) whether there is any impact resulting from the granting of equivalences under Article 9(2), points (j) and (k); (ii) whether there is any impact resulting from the granting of equivalences under Article 9(4); (b) the effects on road safety and on the shortage of drivers of the implementation of the accompanied driving scheme for professional driving licence categories, based on the reports received from the Member States in accordance with Article 23(2). The report shall be accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal. 2. As a part of the report referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall assess new technological developments for alternatively-fuelled vehicles affecting the mass of those vehicles. To that end, the Commission shall use information collected in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 2019/631 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 24 ) setting CO 2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles. The Commission may request additional information from vehicle manufacturers on the possible impact of such new technological developments on the mass of vehicles, to support its assessment. Vehicle manufacturers shall be required to provide the data referred to in the first subparagraph within a reasonable timeframe and in compliance with applicable Union law. 3. Without prejudice to paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, by 26 November 2026 or immediately after the adoption of the first of the implementing acts referred to in Article 5(7), whichever is earlier, the Commission shall assess the feasibility of bringing forward the date referred to in Article 3(4), and shall provide a report on its findings. Member States may provide the Commission with information they deem relevant for the purpose of this assessment, and the Commission shall take that information into account. The report shall be accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal.
Article 25 Exercise of the delegation
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article. 2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 4(8), Article 5(6), Article 8(2), Article 10(6) and Article 19(2) shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of five years from 25 November 2025. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the five-year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension no later than three months before the end of each period. 3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 4(8), Article 5(6), Article 8(2), Article 10(6) and Article 19(2) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force. 4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. 5. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council. 6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 4(8), Article 5(6), Article 8(2), Article 10(6) or Article 19(2) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.
Article 26 Committee procedure
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the committee on driving licences established by Council Directive 97/26/EC ( 25 ) (the ‘committee’). The committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. Where the opinion of the committee is to be obtained by written procedure, that procedure shall be terminated without result when, within the time limit for delivery of the opinion, the chair of the committee so decides or a simple majority of committee members so request. Where the committee delivers no opinion, the Commission shall not adopt the draft implementing act, and Article 5(4), third subparagraph, of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. 3. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 8 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.
Article 27 Amendments to Directive (EU) 2022/2561
Article 5 is amended as follows: (a) in paragraph 2, the following point is added: ‘(c) from the age of 17, a vehicle in driving licence category C1, C1E or C, provided they hold a CPC as referred to in Article 6(1) for category C or as referred to in Article 6(2) for categories C1 and C1E and only under the conditions laid down in Article 17(2) and (3) of Directive (EU) 2025/2205 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( *1 ) . ( *1 ) Directive (EU) 2025/2205 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2025 on driving licences, amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Directive (EU) 2022/2561 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulation (EU) No 383/2012 ( OJ L, 2025/2205, 5.11.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2025/2205/oj ).’;"