FIA Region I Briefing on the 3rd EU Driving Licence Directive

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CONSUMER PROTECTION

SAFETY

Executive SummaryThe provisions of the 3rd EU Driving Licence Directive (adopted on 20 December 2006) come into force on 19 January 2013. The directive aims to increase the harmonisation of driver licencing systems across the European Union: entitlements, validity periods and the model of licence will be standardised from 2013.

An estimated 60% of the European Union’s population holds a valid driving licence, meaning 300 million citizens. According to the European Commission, the new rules introduced by the directive should reduce the possibilities of fraud, guarantee a true freedom of movement for EU drivers and reinforce safety on European roads.

Key Changes:

• Anti-fraud measures o Only plastic card licenses from 2013 (microchips optional) o Limited administrative validity • Further harmonisation of vehicle categories o Mopeds: AM o Motorcycles: A1, A2, A o Categories B and BE o Categories C1, C1E, D1, D1E • Reinforcement of progressive access to larger categories (age, dimensions). • Mandatory medical checks on the renewal of a Group 2 (bus or lorry) licence.

• Minimum standards for driving examiners.

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Review of access to different licence categories, excluding professional transport

Type of vehicle Licence Conditions to access ExceptionsMopedTwo– or three wheel vehicles with maximum speed 45km/h

AM 16 yearsTheory testOptional practical test

Member States can make it accessible from 14 years on their territory only. Member States can raise access age to 18.

Motorcycles <125 cc & < 11 kW power/weight ratio < 0,1 kW/ kgMotor tricycles < 15 kW/h

A1 16 yearsTheory & practical test

Up to 17 or 18 years allowed

Motorcycles < 35 kW & power/weight ratio < 0,2 kW/ kg

A2 18 yearsTheory & practical testHolders of A1 for 2 years: only passing test or complete training

2 years minimum between A1 & A2If minimum age for A1 is fixed to 17 or 18 years by a Member State, then minimum age for A2 becomes 19 or 20

Motorcycles & motor tricycles with a power exceeding 15 kW

A 20 years for progressive access (with passing a test or complete a training after 2 years of A2 licence)24 years for direct access (with theory & practical test)

Quadricycles (optional) B1 16 yearsTheory & practical test

Motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of 3,500kg that may be combined with a trailer of less than 750 kg

B 18 yearsTheory & practical test

Motor vehicles with a maximum au-thorised mass of 4,250kg that may be combined with a trailer of more than 750 kg

B + training or test of

skills

18 years and B licence Duration of training: min 7 hours with a practical component

Combination tractor with trailer not exceeding 3,500 kg

BE 18 years

Motor vehicles of more than 3,500 kg but less than 7,500 kg /Max 8 persons + driver

C1 & C1E

18 yearsTheory & practical test

Motor vehicles of more than 3,500 kg combined with a trailer of max 750 kg. Max 8 persons + driver

C 21 yearsTheory & practical test

Ten Questions & Answers1. Will plastic licence cards be mandatory?The only licence to be issued at European level will be the plastic credit card type from 2013. Member States are allowed to insert a microchip in the licence (which will incorporate the written information already available).

2. Will the renewal of licences be mandatory? And for what period?The directive introduces a compulsory administrative renewal of all new licences. All new licences for moped, motorcycles, and cars shall have a maximum validity of 10 years or 15 years (at Member States’ discretion).

Mandatory administrative licence renewal should allow Member States to update national databases and to exchange data through a newly created communication network.

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3. I obtained my drivers’ licence before 2013. When should I renew it? If your country already has a renewal scheme in place, you will automatically get an EU driver’s licence when it is next renewed. Member States, in which no renewal has been mandatory so far, will have to exchange licences obtained before 2013, at the latest by 2033.

In practice, one of the following two situations can occur:• the driving licence expires in 26 years or later: in this case the document has to be replaced within 26

years at the latest ;

• the document expires before this period and will simply be replaced by the new model at the time of expiry.

4. What medical examinations will be necessary?The directive requires medical checks to be carried out by Member States on bus and lorry drivers. Licenses have to be renewed every five years but the intervals between the examinations, are left to Member States to decide.

For cars and motorcycles riders, Member States are free to carry out medical examinations at the time of the renewal of the licence. Most Member States, which currently have no medical check for drivers, have transposed the directive without introducing such examinations.

5. What are the new trailer rules for car driving licences?• Category B allows for driving a vehicle of 3,500 kg and a trailer of 750 kg.

If motor vehicles are combined with a trailer of more than 750 kg with a mass inferior to 4,250 kg, Member States shall require drivers (a) to complete a training or (b) to pass a test of skills or behaviour. Minimum requirements are defined in the directive.

6. What are the changes for motorcycles categories?The directive introduces new licence categories for powered-two wheelers and progressive access to most high-powered vehicles.

• Given the high level of powered-two wheelers involved in accidents, a new licence category AM will be introduced at the European Level. It should be obtained after passing a mandatory theory test. Member States may additionally require the passing of a practical test.

• All Member States will have to introduce the A1 category. The introduction of the power-weight ratio aims at limiting the speed of these vehicles. A1 licences can be obtained from 16 years onwards (alternatively from 17 or 18).

• Category A2 licences will give the possibility to drive motorcycles, with or without a sidecar of a power not exceeding 35 kW and of power-weight ratio not exceeding 0,2 kW/kg.

• Category A encompasses all motorcycles with or without a side car. It is accessible directly from 24 years old. For progressive access, i.e. drivers that hold an A2 licence for 2 years, the minimum age is 20 years.

7. Will my licence automatically be recognised abroad?The directive provides for automatic mutual recognition of licences within the EU 27. However, non-EU states are not bound by the directive. Please check before travelling.

8. Do I still need an International Driving Permit (IDP) when I travel?International recognition of driving licences is governed by the Vienna Convention. You will still need an IDP

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to drive outside the EU. Moreover, some difficulties arise with licence types AM and A2, which are currently not listed under the IDP categories. FIA Region I will monitor the on-going developments in Geneva.

9. Can I still use my B category licence to drive my caravan abroad next summer?The Directive foresees two possibilities: • For motor vehicles of a maximum weight of 3,500 kg, combined with a trailer of maximum 750 kg, the

current B category licence will suffice.

• For motor vehicles of a maximum weight of 4,250 kg, combined with a trailer of maximum 750 kg, an additional test or training should be organised by Member States. The training should last a minimum of 7 hours.

10. Will there be new rules for driving examiners?There are no set standards on the training and education of driving examiners, which vary widely throughout the EU. In some Member States examiners have almost no specific education or do not even hold the driving licence for the category they were examining. This will no longer be possible.

Basic conditions have been set for entering the profession of driving examiners and introduce minimum standards for their initial qualification as well as regular refresher courses:

• driving examiners should always have a valid licence for the category they are examining. They should have obtained an initial qualification and be obliged to participate in periodic training;

• examiners should be trained extensively on fundamental subjects and obtain an initial qualification before being allowed to examine. Progressive access should be mandatory. Examiners should initially test candidates for category B which accounts for 90% of all examinations. Only after gaining experience on these tests and after obtaining additional qualification for other categories may they test candidates in

other categories.

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Region I

FIA Region I represents 106 Touring and Motoring Clubs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa from its Brussels office, which total more than 36 million members. The FIA represents the interest of these members as motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and tourists.

The FIA’s primary goal is to secure a mobility that is safe, affordable, sustainable and efficient. With these aims in mind the work focuses on Road Safety, Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, and the promotion of Sustainable Motoring.

See more at www.fiaregion1.com.

Brussels, December 2012