Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to report parliamentary committee draft

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii – indent 2 a (new): - without prejudice to the speed limitation in each of the roads set by the national authorities, the absolute maximum allowed speed by Member States for drivers under category A shall not exceed 110 km/h;

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i – indent 1 – paragraph 1: heavy quadricycles with a maximum speed not exceeding 90 km/h;

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i – indent 1 – paragraph 2: Category B1 is optional; in Member States which do not introduce this category of driving licence, a driving licence for category B or B+ shall be required to drive such vehicles;

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i – indent 1 – paragraph 3: deleted

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 1: — motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 1 800 kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver.

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 1 a (new): - without prejudice to the speed limitation in each of the roads set by the national authorities, the absolute maximum allowed speed by Member States for drivers under category B shall not exceed 110 km/h;

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 2 – paragraph 2: deleted / (deleted) / (deleted)

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 2 – paragraph 3: deleted

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii – indent 2 – paragraph 4: deleted

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii a (new): (ii a) 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 having a maximum authorised mass which does not exceed 750 kg; / Without prejudice to the speed limitation in each of the roads set by the national authorities, the absolute maximum allowed speed by Member States for drivers under category B+ shall not exceed 130 km/h; / Without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in this category may be combined with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 750 kg, provided that the maximum authorised mass of this combination does not exceed 4 250 kg. Where such a combination exceeds 3 500 kg, Member States shall, in accordance with the provisions of Annex V, require that this combination only be driven after: / – a training has been completed, or / – a test of skills and behaviour has been passed. / Member States may also require both such a training and the passing of a test of skills and behaviour. / Member States shall indicate the entitlement to drive such a combination on the driving licence by means of the relevant Union code specified in Annex I, Part E.

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii – indent 1: — without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combination of vehicles consisting of a tractor vehicle in category B or B+ and a trailer or semi-trailer where the maximum authorised mass of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3 500 kg;

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point v – indent 2: — without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, combinations of vehicles where the tractor vehicle is in category B or B+ and its trailer or semi-trailer has an authorised mass of over 3 500 kg, provided that the authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12 000 kg;

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 1 – point c – point viii – indent 1: — motor vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than 22 passengers in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 meters.

RemovedArticle 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2: 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 or civil protection. They shall inform the Commission thereof. The exclusion shall be mutually recognised by the Member States.

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) 16 years for categories AM and B1;

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) 18 years for categories A1, A2, B, BE, C1 and C1E;

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i: (i) 20 years for motorcycles. However, access to the driving of motorcycles of this category shall be subject to a minimum of two years’ experience on motorcycles under an A2 licence.

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new): (ca) 21 years for the category B+;

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 2 – introductory part: 2. Member States may raise the minimum age for issuing a driving licence:

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 2 – point a: (a) for category AM up to 18 years;

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 2 – point c – introductory part: (c) for category A2 up to 20 years, provided that both of the following conditions are fulfilled:

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new): (ca) for category A, up to 22 years;

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 2 – point d: deleted

RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1: Member States shall mark driving licences issued to a person subject to one or more conditions under which he or she is authorised to drive. To that end Member States shall use the corresponding Union codes provided for in Annex I, Part E. They may also use national codes for conditions not covered by Annex I, Part E. Such instances shall be reported to the Commission.

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 1: 1. Driving licences for categories B+, C1, C, D1 and D shall be issued only to drivers already entitled to drive vehicles in category B.

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 a (new): Driving licences for categories BE, C1E, CE, D1E and DE shall be issued only to drivers already entitled to drive vehicles in categories B or B+, C1, C, D1 and D respectively.

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 b (new): The B+ licence category can be obtained only after successful completion of the probationary period of two years of B licence category;

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 2 – point b: deleted

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 2 – point c: deleted

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 2 – point e: (e) licences issued for any category shall be valid for vehicles in category AM conditional upon the successful completion of minimum requirements of motorcycle practical training, except for holders of A1, A2 and A licences. However, for driving licences issued on its territory, a Member State may limit the equivalences for category AM to categories A1, A2 and A, if that Member State imposes a practical test as a condition for obtaining category AM;

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 2 – point g: (g) licences issued for categories A, B and B+, C or D shall be valid for categories A1, A2, B1, C1, or D1 respectively;

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 2 – point h: (h) upon obtaining licence category B+ or two years after a driving licence, granted for category B was issued for the first time it shall be valid for driving the alternatively fuelled vehicles referred to in Article 2 of Council Directive 96/53/EC63 with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 4 250 kg without a trailer, provided they are used for special public services such as ambulances, or for regular professional activities and linked to fleet renewal to zero-emission vehicles, subject to specific training and certification.

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new): (ha) licence category B+ shall be valid for driving special usage vehicles up to 4 250 kg.

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a: (a) powered tricycles under a licence for category B or B+, for powered tricycles with a power exceeding 15 kW provided that the holder of the licence for category B is at least 21 years old;

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point b: (b) category A1 motorcycles under a licence for category B or B+, conditional upon the successful completion of minimum requirements of motorcycle practical training;

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a: (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 driving licence granted for category B, at least two years after such a driving licence was issued for the first time or upon obtaining license category B+, and provided that the vehicles are being used by non-commercial bodies for social purposes and that the driver provides his or her services on a voluntary basis;

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point b – introductory part: (b) vehicles of a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg, but not above 5 000 kg, by drivers over 21 years old holding a driving licence granted for category B, at least two years after such a driving licence was issued for the first time, or upon obtaining of B+ category licence, provided that all of the following conditions are met:

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c: deleted

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c a (new): (ca) vehicles of category D or D1 to drivers holding a category C licence, for tests, transfer, necessary maintenance or inspection drive purposes, provided there is no passenger therein.

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) they have successfully completed at least the minimum theoretical and practical instruction requirements set out in Annex VIa and subsequently passed a theoretical test and a skills and behaviour test, respectively, and who meet the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving , in accordance with the provisions of Annexes II and III;

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – paragraph 1: as regards category AM they have passed a theory test, a medical examination and completed a minimum certified training referred to in Annex VIa for this category.

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new): (ba) as regards category A1: / (i) passed a test of skills and behaviour, and / (ii) completed a training pursuant to Annex VIa for this category, except if they have acquired a minimum of two years’ experience on a motorcycle in category AM;

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 – point d: (d) they have completed a training or passed a test of skills and behaviour, or completed a training and passed a test of skills and behaviour pursuant to Annex V as regards category B or B+ for driving a vehicle combination referred to in Article 6(1), point (c)(ii), third paragraph;

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 1 a (new): 1a. Member States shall adopt the necessary provisions in order to ensure that persons who have a disability and whose test is carried out in a vehicle adapted for their disability are exempted from undertaking tasks incompatible with their disability.

RemovedThe UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that obliges member states to take all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures to amend or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that are a source of discrimination against persons with disabilities. This provision is purposely general so as not to have to list all possible impairments and instead leave to the discretion -and obligation- of the examiner to determine the applicable exemptions with regard to the applicant’s impairment on a case-by-case basis.

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a: (a) 10 years for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B+, B1 and BE;

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 4: Member States shall limit the period of administrative validity of driving licences issued to novice drivers within the meaning of Article 15(1) and subject to the conditions therein, for any category in order to apply specific measures to such drivers, for the purpose of improving their road safety.

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 6: In order to apply an increased frequency of medical checks or other specific measures, including refresher courses, Member States shall reduce the periods of administrative validity set out in the first subparagraph as follows: / (i) to seven years or less for driving licences of holders residing on their territory who have reached the age of 60 years; / (ii) to five years or less for driving licences of holders residing on their territory who have reached the age of 70 years; / (iii) to two years or less for driving licences of holders residing on their territory who have reached the age of 80 years; / Member States may establish a compulsory monitoring session or refresher course with an instructor, particularly in cases where general medical examinations cast doubts on the actual fitness to drive of the licence holder, as a means of certification of its conclusion, as a condition to conclude the renewal process. / This reduced period of administrative validity shall only be applied upon renewal of the driving licence.

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1: When issuing or renewing driving licences in categories AM, A, A1, A2, B, B+, B1 and BE, Member States shall require an examination applying the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving set out in Annex III. In that case, the medical examination shall cover all the medical incapacities mentioned in Annex III.

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2: deleted

RemovedArticle 10 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1: No person may hold more than one physical driving licence. A person may however hold several digital copies of a mobile driving licence, provided that these are issued by the same Member State.

RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2: Where the Commission identifies such a third country, it may assess the third country’s road transport framework in cooperation with the Member States. Member States shall have six months to provide their opinion on the road transport framework in place in the identified third country. 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.

RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 8 a (new): 8a. The Commission may assess whether a third country has professional driver training and/or certification rules and examination procedures that are wholly or partially comparable to those of the Union, as well as a level of road safety that is comparable to that of the Union, which would justify allowing the holder of a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), or equivalent issued by the third country to be exchanged for a new CPC, issued by a Member State. / On the basis of the assessment, the Commission may adopt an implementing act allowing that exchange on condition that the holder of the CPC completes additional competence training of up to 35 hours to be conducted in the most practicable language, with, if necessary, appropriate language support, in line with the provisions of the EU Driver Training Directive (EU) 2022/2561, to ensure high level of competence and road safety. / Member States shall have six months to provide their opinion on the Commission assessment regarding this third country. The implementing act shall not apply until the Commission has received an opinion from all Member States or until six months from the entry into force of the implementing act concerned, whichever is the earlier .

RemovedArticle 12 – paragraph 9: 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 object of an implementing decision in accordance with paragraphs 7 and 8a, and shall also publish accordingly any relevant changes made in accordance with paragraph 8.

RemovedArticle 13 a (new): Article 13a / Demerit point system / By 31 December 2025, Member States shall establish a demerit point system, with cumulative effect, which results in additional punishment when the level of repeat offending has resulted in a certain number of penalty points being collected or lost. That additional punishment may include disqualification. / The system shall include a set of fixed penalties for at least the major road safety related offences included in the [Proposal for a Directive on cross-border enforcement of traffic offences 2023/0052(COD)]. Member States shall introduce stricter demerit point systems during a probationary period for newly-licenced drivers with penalties such as loss of licence or mandatory traffic risk awareness training. Member States may establish bonification schemes for good behaviour and non-recurrent patterns for minor offences. / The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 21 to establish the necessary equivalences between systems, including if necessary reference values at Union level that offer guidance to national authorities in their interpretation and make it possible to determine whether the cumulation of offences in different Member States can lead to an EU-wide disqualification, pursuant to the [Proposal of Directive on EU-wide driving disqualification, 2023/055(COD)].

RemovedArticle 14: deleted / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted) / (deleted)

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 2: 2. Member States shall lay down rules on penalties for novice drivers who drive with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.0g/mL and take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non-discriminatory. Member States may extend the application of the 0.0 g/mL limit to all drivers.

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2a. Member States shall establish specific rules applicable to novice drivers regarding speed, by lowering down the maximum authorised speed outside the urban areas if that maximum authorised speed is higher or equal to 90 km/h. Member States shall lay down rules on penalties for novice drivers regarding the maximum authorised speed and take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non‐discriminatory.

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 2 b (new): 2b. Member States shall establish specific rules applicable to novice drivers of category B licences regarding the mass of vehicles, by restricting the maximum authorised mass of vehicles that are eligible to be driven by them to 1 800 kg. Member States shall lay down rules on penalties for novice drivers regarding the maximum authorised mass of vehicle driven and take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non‐discriminatory.

RemovedArticle 15 – paragraph 2 c (new): 2c. Member States may establish specific rules applicable to novice drivers in order to limit night-driving from midnight to 6.00 am. If they do so, they shall lay down rules on penalties for novice drivers regarding the limit to night-time driving and take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties shall be effective, proportionate, dissuasive and non‐discriminatory.