Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 6 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point j: (j) taking the necessary precautions when getting off the vehicle, especially regarding cyclists.

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point g: (g) overtaking/passing: overtaking other road users, including cyclists (if possible); driving alongside obstacles, for instance parked cars; being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate);

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new): (ga) independent driving towards a determined destination, beyond specific turning indications;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point h: (h) special road features (if available): roundabouts; taking roundabout with a large vehicle; right and left driving; railway level crossings; tram/bus stops; pedestrian crossings; bike lanes; driving up-/downhill on long slopes; gradient changes; tunnels;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new): (ha) interaction with other road users, including foreseeing blind spots and adequate use of direction indicators;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point i: (i) entering and alighting from the vehicle, including making sure that it is safe to open the vehicle door and that this will not create a hazard for other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and micro-mobility user, with particular emphasis on opening the door with the hand furthest from it;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 7 – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point j: (j) reacting and anticipating to hazardous situations, including using simulators.

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – introductory part: 8. Skills and behaviour to be tested concerning categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E and T

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point f: (f) checking the safety factors relating to vehicle loading: body, sheets, cargo doors, loading mechanism (if available), cabin locking (if available), way of loading, securing load (categories C, CE, C1, C1E, T only);

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 1 – paragraph 1 – point g: (g) checking the coupling mechanism and the brake and electrical connections (categories CE, C1E, DE, D1E , T only);

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 2 – point a: (a) coupling and uncoupling, or uncoupling and re-coupling a trailer from its motor vehicle; the manoeuvre must involve the towing vehicle being parked alongside the trailer (i.e. not in one line) (categories CE, C1E, DE, D1E, T only);

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 2 – point a a (new): (aa) the various trailer to truck coupling mechanisms, taking into account the fifth wheel coupling for articulated vehicles (for semi-trailers), and drawbar hitch coupling for drawbar trailers (rigid truck), as well as the standard operating procedures and protocols for connecting and disconnecting trailers from trucks while using these coupling mechanisms;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 2 – point c: (c) parking safely for loading/unloading at a loading ramp/platform or similar installation (categories C, CE, C1, C1E, T only);

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point e: (e) changing direction: left and right turns; changing lanes, making a U turn;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new): (ea) factoring in blind spots;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point g: (g) overtaking/passing: overtaking other road users and micromobility users, including cyclists and pedestrians (if possible); driving alongside obstacles, for instance parked cars; being overtaken by other traffic (if appropriate);

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point h: (h) special road features: taking roundabouts with a large vehicle; driving on the left and right; railway level crossings; tram/bus stops; pedestrian crossings, bike lanes; riding up-/downhill on long slopes; tunnels;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point i: (i) entering and alighting from the vehicle, including making sure that it is safe to open the vehicle door and that this will not create a hazard for other road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and micro-mobility;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 3 – paragraph 1 – point i a (new): (ia) the precautions to be taken when entering and exiting a vehicle in a safe way.

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 4 – point a: (a) driving in such a way as to ensure safety and to reduce fuel/energy consumption and emissions during acceleration, deceleration, uphill and downhill driving, , distance to the vehicle in front; curve overtaking, change of lane, priority rules, speed limits;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 8 – point 4 – point b: (b) reacting and anticipating to hazardous situations, including using simulators

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 1 – paragraph 2: Driving examiners shall be trained to assess correctly the applicants' ability to drive safely. The work of driving examiners shall be monitored and supervised, by an independent body authorised by the Member State, to ensure correct and consistent application of fault assessment in accordance with the standards laid down in this Annex.

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 3 – point a: (a) controls the vehicle; taking into account: proper use of safety belts, modern safety and driving aids rear-view mirrors, head restraints; seat; proper use of lights and other equipment; proper use of clutch, gearbox, accelerator, braking systems (including third braking system, if available), steering; controlling the vehicle under different circumstances, at different speeds; steadiness on the road; the weight and dimensions and characteristics of the vehicle; the weight and type of load (categories BE, C, CE, C1, C1E, DE, D1E, T only); the comfort of the passengers (categories D, DE, D1, D1E only) (no fast acceleration, smoothly driving and no hard braking);

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 3 – point b: (b) drives economically and in a safe and energy-efficient way, taking into account the revolutions per minute, changing gears, braking and accelerating and uses intrinsic in-vehicle driving and/or safety aids (categories B, BE, C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E only);

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 3 – point c: (c) complies with observation rules: all-round observation; proper use of mirrors and new technologies; far, middle, near distance vision;

AddedAnnex II – Part I – point B – point 9 – point 3 – point j: (j) controls braking and stopping: decelerating in time, braking or stopping according to circumstances; anticipation; using the various braking systems (only for categories C, CE, D, DE); using speed reduction systems other than the brakes and use of in-vehicle technologies (only for categories C, CE, D, DE).

AddedAnnex II – Part II – paragraph 1 – indent 5: – take account of all the factors affecting driving behaviour (for instance alcohol, fatigue, poor eyesight, use of electronic device etc.) so as to retain full use of the faculties needed to drive safely;

AddedAnnex II – Part II – paragraph 1 – indent 7: – have sufficient knowledge of risk factors related to cyclists, pedestrians and micro mobility users;

AddedAnnex II – Part II – paragraph 2: Member States are enouraged to adopt and implement the appropriate measures to ensure that drivers who have lost the knowledge, skills and behaviour as described under points 1 to 9 can recover this knowledge and those skills and will continue to exhibit such behaviour required for driving a power-driven vehicle. Member States may use revenues earmarked under Directive 2015/413 to financially support such measures.

AddedAnnex III – point 1 – point 1: (1) Group 1: drivers of vehicles of categories A, A1, A2, AM, B, B1, BE and T;

AddedAnnex III – point 1 – point 3: (3) National legislation shall provide for the provisions set out in this Annex for Group 2 drivers to apply to drivers of Category B vehicles using their driving licence for professional purposes (taxis, ambulances, etc.).

AddedAnnex III – point 3 – paragraph 1: deleted

AddedAnnex III – point 3 – paragraph 2: The applicants shall be required to undergo a medical examination, including an appropriate examination for eyesight as described in point 6, when the necessary formalities are being completed or during the tests which they have to undergo prior to obtaining a driving licence, culminating in the issue of a reasoned medical opinion by a medical authority whose expertise is appropriate for the complexity of the combined purposes of this Annex.

AddedAnnex III – point 3 a (new): 3a. The Member States might set stricter standards and rules than those set out in this annex for the issue or subsequent renewal of driving licences.

AddedAnnex III – point 4 – paragraph 1: Applicants shall undergo medical examinations of their physical and mental fitness for driving a power-driven vehicle before a driving licence is first issued to them and thereafter drivers shall be checked in accordance with the national system in place in the Member State of normal residence whenever their driving licence is renewed. The medical examination may be performed by a general practitioner, provided he or she has completed the online training course referred to in Article 10(8a).

AddedAnnex III – point 4 a (new): 4a. Drivers shall be subject to the same procedure when their driving licences are renewed.

AddedAnnex III – point 6 – paragraph 1: All applicants for a driving licence and for renewal shall undergo an appropriate investigation to ensure that they have adequate visual acuity, measured by means of validated visual acuity chart and field of vision for driving power-driven vehicles. Where there is reason to doubt that the applicant’s vision is adequate, he/she should be examined by a competent medical authority or by a qualified eye-care professional authorised by national law. At this examination attention shall be paid, in particular, to the following: visual acuity, field of vision, twilight vision, glare and contrast sensitivity, diplopia and other visual functions that can compromise safe driving.

AddedAnnex III – point 6 – paragraph 2: For group 1 drivers, licensing may be considered in ‘exceptional individual cases’ where the visual field standard or visual acuity standard cannot be met but there are reasons to believe that the issuance of a driving licence for the applicant would not impair road safety; in such cases the driver shall undergo examination by a competent medical authority or by a qualified eye-care professional authorised by national law to demonstrate that there is no other impairment of visual function, including glare, contrast sensitivity and twilight vision. The driver or applicant shall also be subject to a positive practical test conducted by a competent authority.

AddedAnnex III – point 6 – paragraph 3 – point 1 – paragraph 1: Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of such a licence shall have a binocular visual acuity, with corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0,5 (decimal notation) when using both eyes together.

AddedAnnex III – point 6 – paragraph 3 – point 2: (2) Applicants for a driving licence, or for the renewal of such a licence, who have total functional loss of vision in one eye or who use only one eye (for instance in the case of diplopia) shall have a visual acuity of at least 0,5 (decimal notation), with corrective lenses if necessary. The competent medical authority shall certify that this condition of monocular vision has existed for a sufficiently long time to allow adaptation and that the field of vision in this eye meets the requirement laid down in point 6.(1).

AddedAnnex III – point 6 – paragraph 3 – point 3: (3) After any recently developed diplopia or after the loss of vision in one eye, there shall be an appropriate adaptation period (for example, six months), during which driving is not allowed. After this period, driving shall only be allowed following a favourable opinion from vision and driving experts. The authority may establish temporary requirements and, where appropriate, restrictions on night driving.

AddedAnnex III – point 6 – paragraph 4 – point 4 – paragraph 1: Applicants for a driving licence or for the renewal of such a licence shall have a visual acuity, with corrective lenses if necessary, of at least 0,8 (decimal notation) in the better eye and at least 0,1 (decimal notation) in the worse eye. If corrective lenses are used to attain the values of 0,8 and 0,1, the minimum acuity (0,8 and 0,1) shall be achieved either by correction by means of glasses with a power not exceeding plus eight dioptres, or with the aid of contact lenses. The correction must be well tolerated. The medical examination may be performed by a general practitioner who has undergone an online training referred to in Article 10 (8a).

AddedAnnex III – point 6 – paragraph 4 – point 4 – paragraph 3: Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers presenting significant changes in twilight vision and impaired contrast sensitivity and insufficient vision after glare, with inappropriate recovery time even in the better eye or with diplopia.

AddedAnnex III – point 6 – paragraph 4 – point 4 – paragraph 4: After a substantial loss of vision in one eye, there shall be an appropriate adaptation period (for example six months) during which the subject is not allowed to drive. After this period, driving shall only be allowed after a favourable opinion from vision and driving experts. The competent medical authority may allow driving subject to certain requirements or impose restrictions.

AddedAnnex III – point 10 – paragraph 3 – point 2: (2) An applicant or driver with diabetes treated with medication which carries a risk of inducing hypoglycaemia shall demonstrate an understanding of the risk of hypoglycaemia and adequate control of the condition, including through a continuous monitoring system where deemed necessary by a competent medical authority.

AddedAnnex III – point 10 – paragraph 7 – point 3 – paragraph 2: Moreover, in those cases, such licences shall be issued or renewed subject to the positive opinion of a competent medical authority and to regular medical review undertaken by a medical specialist, undertaken at intervals of not more than three years.

AddedAnnex III – point 11 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – paragraph 1: Driving licences shall not be issued to, or renewed for, applicants or drivers with a serious neurological disease, unless the application is supported by a positive authorised medical opinion undertaken by a medical specialist or competent medical authority.

AddedAnnex III – point 11 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – paragraph 2: Neurological disturbances associated with developmental conditions, diseases, medical or surgical intervention affecting the central or peripheral nervous system, which lead to cognitive, behavioural, sensory or motor impairments and affect performance/function, balance and coordination, shall accordingly be taken into account in relation to their functional effects. The risks of progression of impairment and compliance with treatment needs to be taken into account. In such cases, the issue or renewal of the licence may be subject to periodic assessment in the event of risk of deterioration.

AddedAnnex III – point 12 – paragraph 5 – point 5: (5) Epilepsy: drivers or applicants may be declared fit to drive after a one-year period free of further seizures documented and certified by a neurologist.

AddedAnnex III – point 12 – paragraph 6 – point 11 – paragraph 1: Provoked epileptic seizure: the applicant who has had a provoked epileptic seizure because of a recognisable provoking factor that is unlikely to recur at the wheel may be declared able to drive on an individual basis alone and for vehicles for private use but not for the transport of others, subject to neurological opinion. An EEG and an appropriate neurological assessment shall be performed after the acute episode.

AddedAnnex III – point 12 – paragraph 6 – point 12: (12) First or single unprovoked seizure: the applicant who has had a first unprovoked epileptic seizure may be declared able to drive once five years’ freedom from further seizures has been achieved without the aid of anti-epileptic drugs, if there has been an appropriate neurological assessment.

AddedAnnex III – point 13 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – point a: (a) severe mental, cognitive or behavioural impairment, whether congenital or due to disease, trauma or neurosurgical operations;

AddedAnnex III – point 13 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – point b: (b) deleted

AddedAnnex III – point 13 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – point c: (c) personality impairments leading to seriously impaired judgment, behaviour or adaptability,

AddedAnnex III – point 13 – paragraph 3 – point 2: (2) The competent medical authority shall give due consideration to the additional risks and dangers involved in the driving of vehicles covered by the definition of this group. The competent medical authority may establish temporary requirements or impose restrictions on driving.

AddedAnnex III – point 14 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – paragraph 1: Driving licences shall not be issued to, or renewed for, applicants or drivers who have alcohol use disorders or are unable to refrain from drinking and driving unless appropriate restrictions are applied through their participation in rehabilitation programmes including monitoring and medical supervision and the use of technologies enabling to offset the dependency (including through the mandatory use of an alcohol interlock).

AddedAnnex III – point 14 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – paragraph 2: After a proven period of abstinence and subject to a positive authorised medical opinion and regular medical check-ups by the competent medical authority, driving licences may be issued to, or renewed for, applicant or drivers who have in the past been dependent on alcohol with no further restrictions.

AddedAnnex III – point 14 – paragraph 3 – point 2 a (new): (2a) The competent medical authority may establish temporary requirements and, where appropriate, restrictions on driving.

AddedAnnex III – point 15 – paragraph 2 – point 1 – paragraph 1: Driving licences shall not be issued to or renewed for applicants or drivers who make use of psychotropic substances or narcotics or, whatever category of licence is requested.

AddedAnnex III – point 15 – paragraph 2 – point 2 – paragraph 1: Driving licences shall not be issued to, or renewed for, applicants or drivers who abuse or make regular use of psychotropic substances if the quantity taken is such as to influence the ability to drive. This shall apply to all other medicinal products or combinations of medicinal products which affect the ability to drive. / The competent medical authority may establish temporary requirements and, where appropriate, restrictions on driving.