The European driving licence is a driving licence replacing the many driving licence styles already in use in the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) (all 28 EU member states as well as 3 EFTA member states; Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). It has the credit card-style with a photograph and possibly a microchip. They were introduced to replace the 110 different plastic and paper driving licences of the 300 million drivers in the EEA. The main objective of the licence is to decrease the risk of fraud.
A driving licence issued by a member state of the EEA, is recognised throughout the EEA and can be used as long as it is valid, the driver is old enough to drive a vehicle of the equivalent category and the licence is not suspended or restricted and has not been revoked in the issuing country. If the holder of an EEA driving licence moves to another EEA country, the licence can be exchanged for a driving licence from the new EEA country. However as all EEA driving licences are recognised throughout the EEA, it is not necessary to exchange it.
The exception is for those holding EEA driving licences issued in exchange for a non-EEA licence. When holding a converted licence, one should not assume the licence can be exchanged when moving to another EEA country. This only applies when permanently relocating to a different EEA country, as a tourist, an EEA-licence issued in exchange of a non-EEA licence is recognised throughout the EEA.
Video European driving licence
History
Pre-1996 European driving licence
The first step to a European driving licence was taken on 4 December 1980, when the Council of Ministers adopted Council Directive 80/1263/EEC on the introduction of a Community driving licence, which established a Community model national licence that guaranteed the mutual recognition by the Member States of national licences. It also established the practice of exchange of licences by holders moving from one Member State to another.
European driving licence as from 1996
On 29 July 1991, the Council of Ministers adopted the Council of the European Union Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences. The directive required EU Member States to adopt laws implementing the directive before 1 July 1994, which laws would take effect on 1 July 1996. Directive 80/1263/EEC would be repealed on the same date. Directive 91/439/EEC specified the European Union driving licence until its repeal 19 January 2013.
Provisions
The Council of the European Union Directive 91/439/EEC harmonises the categories of driving licences among the Member States and establishes two Community driving licence models, one paper version and one plastic card version. It furthermore establishes an obligatory test of knowledge (theory) and a test of skills and behaviour (practical) which has to be successfully passed before an individual is offered a driving licence. It also requires an applicant to meet the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness to drive. The directive specifies the minimum ages for driving different types of vehicles, and establishes progressive access in categories A, C, and D, from light vehicles to larger or more powerful vehicles. The directive stipulates that it is mandatory to have the normal residence in the Member State issuing the licence.
Amendments
The Directive has been substantially amended by nine directives and two acts of accession. The plastic card version of the Community licence model, for example, was added to the Directive by Council Directive 96/47/EC of 23 July 1996.
European driving licence as from 2013
In March 2006, the Council of Ministers adopted a Directive proposed by the European Commission to create a single European driving licence to replace the 110 different models currently in existence throughout the EU/EEA. The European Parliament adopted the Directive in December 2006. Directive 2006/126/EEC was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 30 December 2006. Its provisions took effect on 19 January 2013; Directive 91/439/EEC was then concurrently repealed.
Provisions
The licence is a credit-card-style, single plastic-coated document, very difficult to falsify. The document will be renewable every 10 or 15 years depending on the member state. Several member states will have the option to include a microchip containing information about the card holder on the card.
Some categories like C and D will be issued for five years only. After expiration, a medical check-up is necessary in order to renew the licence for another five years.
EEA relevance
The provisions of Directive 2006/126/EC mentions that it has European Economic Area (EEA) relevance, meaning that its provisions apply to all 28 EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, through incorporation into the agreement on the EEA.
Implementation
The directive stipulates that all 31 EEA members states should adopt laws implementing the directive no later than 19 January 2011. Those laws should take effect in all EEA members states on 19 January 2013. All licences issued before that date will become invalid by 2033.
Participating member states
As of 2013, the 32 countries participate, including the 31 member states of the EEA. This coincides with the 28 EU members plus 3 of the 4 member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The fourth member state of EFTA, Switzerland, is not party to the EEA agreement, and is instead linked to the EU by a series of bilateral agreements.
Maps European driving licence
Standard data field labelling
To help users of different languages to understand what each of the data fields on the licence contains, they are labelled with a number. A legend is usually supplied on the reverse of the card in the issuing authority's language.
- surname
- given name
- date of birth, place of birth
- a) date of issue, b) date of expiry, c) issuing authority, d) personal number
- licence number
- photograph of holder
- signature of holder
- Address
- licence categories
- first issuing date of the category
- expiry date of the category
- restrictions (number coded)
- space reserved for the possible entry by the host Member State of information essential for administering the license (barcode (personal number))
- space reserved for the possible entry by the Member State which issues the license of information essential for administering the licence or related to road safety (optional).
Notes
- aThough the EU directive states, this to be other names, local variations may occur
- bThe addition of the personal number is a local variation. 4(d) is optional and should be a number other than the one listed under number 5
- cThe address is optional and not implemented by all countries
- dSwitzerland: place of origin instead of place of birth. Sweden: a hyphen (-) is shown in lieu of place of birth.
Categories valid in all EEA member states
National categories in EEA member states
There are other national categories for tractors, large motorcycles, motorised wheel boats, motor tricycles (modern voiturettes, Category B1 or S) and military categories such as for driving tanks. National categories mean they are not harmonised and only valid within the issuing country. The tables below are general descriptions that do not include full details of regulations.
Austria
Bulgaria
Croatia
Germany
Hungary
Ireland
Latvia
Norway
Poland
Slovenia
Switzerland
Even though Switzerland is a EFTA member state, it is not a member of the European Economic Area. Switzerland has, however, generally adopted much of the harmonised EU legislation with regard to driving licences. Swiss licences can be exchanged in most EEA countries. Switzerland has, since the 2000s, used the EU system of vehicle categories and issued EEA-style credit-card licences.
To apply for a car driving licence (category B), the applicant must be 18 old. They must first attend first aid courses and pass an eyesight test. Passing a theory exam is required to receive a learner's permit/licence valid for two. This allows holders to drive a car only if accompanied by an aged 23 or more who has had a full driving licence for a minimum of three. Before passing the practical exam, the candidate must attend 10 hours of theory lessons on "familiarisation to road traffic". Practical driving lessons are not legally required but are considered a de facto prerequisite for passing the practical exam [taken] with a government official [Driving Test Examiner]. Upon succeeding the practical exam, a probationary driving licence is issued for three. To obtain the full, unlimited, driving licence after these three, the candidate must not commit a serious traffic offence and attend two days of further driving training.
For motorcycles and heavier vehicles, the regulations are different, and some agrarian vehicles can be driven without a licence. As of 2011, a 45-minute driving lesson costs around 90 CHF, while the various fees and theoretical instruction costs associated with getting a car driving licence can amount to up to CHF 600, without counting the costs for the two days of further training.
The theoretical exam must be taken in either German, French or Italian. In some cantons, it is possible to take it in English.
Gallery
See also
- Driving licence
- European Commissioner for Transport
- International driving licence
- Vehicle registration plates of the European Union
- European Health Insurance Card
References
External links
- http://www.workpermit.com/news/2006_12_18/eu/european_driving_license.htm
- http://www.euractiv.com/en/transport/single-europe-wide-driving-licence-2013/article-160496
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6180617.stm
- http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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