Third European Union Directive on Driving Licences

Transcription

1 Third European Union Directive on Driving Licences From 19 January 2013 a new directive the third European Directive on Driving Licences (3EUD) (2006/126/EC) will come into force, replacing the second European Directive on Driving Licences (91/439/EEC). Freight Transport Association has been actively engaged at all levels on these changes since they were announced in As a result of FTA lobbying, the new directive has been changed many times with some noticeable anomalies dropped, amended or not adopted in the GB, these included the following. Reduction of the C1 weight classification from 7.5t to 6t (dropped) Limited flexibility for category B vehicles being used in connection with a business or trade (dropped) Introduction of a load capacity towing limit of 1000kg on a category B licence (dropped) A requirement for group 2 drivers to undertake a full medical test every five years after obtaining their licence. GB will adopt self-certification up to the age of 45 years on renewal of licence Removal of GB exemptions to drive vehicle types without the necessary licence, ie a category C driving a category D vehicle for test or repair (not adopted in GB) New category B96 (comprising category B vehicles combined with a trailer having a maximum authorised mass exceeding 750 kilograms up to a combined MAM of 4,250kg). This category would require training with no test, DSA agreed with FTA that B+E would offer greater flexibility at a comparable cost, and given the potentially high cost of administrating this category it was not adopted in GB, however some member states will be adopting this category therefore a non-gb licence may contain the B96 entitlement The main aims of the Directive are to standardise the rules, help prevent fraudulent licenses being produced, and improve road safety. The Directive introduces a single licence model across Europe; however member states will have up to 2033 to comply with this particular requirement. GB has already adopted this requirement in respect of issuing the correct model of licence (the photocard licence) but still has to replace all older models (like paper licences) by During the development stage DVLA/ DSA worked together to incorporate the Directive into GB law concentrating on a number of work streams which are highlighted below. Licence validity arrangements for drivers of buses and lorries Age restrictions New driving licence design Driving examiners Mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles progressive training requirement for motorcycles based on the vehicle s engine size and the age of the driver How does this affect drivers in Great Britain? It is important to note that the new rules do not take away any driving entitlement if that entitlement was granted before 19 January The changes apply to any new entitlements and test passes after the 19 January Also included within the provisions is to: generalise the plastic card model of the European licence and allow enhanced security measures introduce a limited administrative validity of driving licenses harmonise the frequency of medical checks for drivers end driver licence tourism by introducing a pan-european application process introduce progressive access to the most powerful motorcycles introduce a new licence category for mopeds remove the flexibility of drawing larger trailers on a category B licence introduce minimum requirements for the initial qualification and training of driving examiners All new licences issued on or after 19 January 2013 will meet the terms of the new directive. Licence design (single EU licence format) The new style licence will look different to the current one. All vehicle categories will be listed on the back of the licence with the dates against the relevant entitlements, all other categories will have a line through the date fields to show that the driver is not entitled to drive them. All dates will be shown as DD.MM.YYYY, with the date displayed in box 4b indicating the licence expiry date and the entitlement expiry date shown on the reverse. All licence categories across the EU will be consistent in each member state. Your photocard licence is accompanied by a paper counterpart. The counterpart will contain your provisional driving entitlements, driving offences and other relevant information. For a short period of time from 15 October 2012, DVLA will use existing card stocks to print the new licences. Once the existing card stock is finished, the new designed card will be used. Therefore, between 15 October and mid December 2012, drivers may have been issued with either driving licence design, all cards issued after that date will be of the new format. Age restrictions Changes to the age requirement will only apply to driving licences that come into force post 19 January New drivers learning to drive or passing a driving FTA Briefing Note

2 Third European Union Directive on Driving Licences 4b Expiry date of card test will have to meet the new minimum age for driving the vehicle and the category for which it applies. Age limits for driving cars and car/trailer combinations will not change. The minimum age for categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE will apply to non-professional driving, (D and DE will increase from 21 to 24 years for non professional drivers) Some of these categories can be driven at a younger age if the driver holds a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) Driver CPC training directive (2003/59/EC) (see table of categories for further details). Licence validity for drivers of buses and lorries (medium and large goods and passenger vehicles) The directive introduces a five-yearly renewal of vocational licences. Therefore, on or after 19 January 2013, when a driver passes a driving test or renews their full driving licence in categories C, C1, C1E, CE, D, DE, D1 or D1E, their licence will be valid for a maximum period of five years up to age 65, when renewal will be made annually. If a driver currently holds a full licence for categories C1, C, D1, D, C1E, CE, D1E or DE they will become subject to the new rules when they next renew their licence or when they renew their bus and/or lorry entitlement, whichever is sooner. If a 10 year licence is held and the driver applies for a replacement due to a change in personal details or the card being lost or stolen, a replacement will be issued for the remaining period of the original 10 year licence. However, if a driver chooses to renew their 2 An FTA Briefing Note expiry date of entitlement licence by supplying a new photograph they will be issued with a new five year licence. to tow trailers. However the definition has changed slightly. Drivers over age 45 will need a medical examination and a completed D4 medical examination report at each renewal of their vocational entitlement (maximum of five years) and will need to supply a new photograph every other licence renewal (10 years). Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer weighing up to 750kg. Drivers under age 45 will need to sign a self declaration of fitness to drive at each renewal (D2 or renewal reminder form) of their vocational entitlement (maximum of five years) and will need to supply a new photograph every other licence renewal (10 years). If a driver holds both a lorry and bus entitlement the expiry for both will be aligned when the first five year licence is issued. It is important that on the renewal form you clearly indicate which categories you are looking to renew as failure to do so could mean that omitted categories will be removed from the replacement licence. New rules for towing trailers with a car or small vehicle (category B and BE) Rules for drivers who already have category B and BE prior to the 19 January 2013 will remain the same, your entitlement to tow trailers will stay as it was when you passed your driving test. However new rules on towing trailers will apply to drivers who obtain these entitlements after the 19 January. New drivers Category B there will be no change from the existing rules to the entitlement Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than 8 passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer over 750kg where the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer is not exceeding 3,500kg. Category BE If the trailer weighs over 750kg and the combined trailer and towing vehicle weight is more than 3,500kg a further test will need to be passed. The test category will show as BE, the trailer you tow must not be heavier than 3,500kg. To tow trailers weighing more than 3,500kg with a car and/or small vehicle with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg (category B) drivers will need to pass a test for category C1E the combined weight is limited to MAM 12,000kg. Not adopted in GB The Directive adds an option for drivers who want to tow a trailer over 750kg where the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is over 3,500kg (up to a maximum of 4,250kg), but who don t want to take a B+E test. Member states can allow these customers to apply for the additional entitlement against their category B, and show it as a new Community code 96 on the licence. The driver would still have to pass a driving test or training programme, but not one that would give them B+E entitlement. GB has not taken up this proposal, but must recognise this code

3 Third European Union Directive on Driving Licences as valid entitlement to tow those trailers because some EU member states may have licenses issued with this category. Licence category changes From 19 January a holder of a licence which is new or renewed will notice changes to the full and provisional entitlement displayed on it, this is due to the introduction of new categories and changes to others however (they do not restrict current driving entitlements. For the full details contact the Member Advice Centre. For example: categories on a full licence obtained before 1 January 1997 will display B BE B1 f k l n p C1 C1E (8.25 tonnes) D1 D1E (101). when replaced or renewed after 19 January the same licence will display; B BE B1 f k l n p C1 C1E (8.25 tonnes) D1 D1E (101), A (restricted to tricycle), AM q There are also some additions to the restriction codes for example: 96 additional trailer entitlement against category B (not adopted in GB) 125 tricycles only 79 restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets ie (tricycles) Motorcycles and mopeds new rules on driving licences for motorcycle and moped riders come into force on 19 January The new rules will apply if you pass a test after that date or if you are an existing rider when you renew or replace your licence. There will be changes to category definitions ie AM, A1, A2 and A. and the introduction of staged testing by age and engine power. Rider will not be able to ride the largest machines until aged 24 if they haven t been through the staged testing process or aged 21 if they have. See the category list for further details. B1 this category will cover fourwheeled vehicles only with an unladen weight of 550kg and invalid carriages. Three-wheeled vehicles are now covered under the motorcycle and moped category of AM D1, D1E Minibuses introduces a length restriction of eight meters within the overall definition D, DE Buses Introduces a change to the minimum age from 21 to 24 albeit there are exceptions (refer to category list) Driving examiners The Directive introduces additional requirements for driving examiners who will be required to undertake initial and periodic training. The Directive introduces standards for initial qualifications however this will only apply to anyone coming into the profession on or after 19 January There will also be quality assurance and periodic training of examiners with the competent authority in each member state required to administer these changes ie DSA. It will become conditional for the approval of organisations that appoint examiners that each examiner they are responsible for will receive the appropriate training and keep records. (DSA will audit). DSA will be obliged to establish a standard criterion for examiners, however the minimum age will be 23 and they must have held a cat B licence for three years and have completed at least a level three education. DSA must also set additional standards, and specify an initial qualification process for examiners for those conducting tests on motorcycles, buses and lorries. DSA are also required to introduce and specify quality assurance for all examiners to ensure they are supervised at work, with a minimum half a day every five years. The organisation must keep records which will be audited by DSA. Training requirements for all examiners need to be specified which would need to cover examining skills, (at least four days in two years) along with developing and maintaining practical driving skills (at least five days in five years). The Directive prohibits any examiner from also being active in commercial driving instruction. Existing driving examiners, as well as newly qualified examiners, will have to comply with the training and supervision requirements. See overleaf for category tables. An FTA Briefing Note 3

4 Third European Union Directive on Driving Licences Category Minimum age Notes Change Moped Two-wheel vehicles or three-wheel vehicles with a maximum design speed is over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h Light quadricycle With an unladen mass of not more than 350kg, not including the mass of the batteries in case of electric vehicles, whose maximum design speed is over 25km/h and not more than 45km/h Motorcycles A motorcycle with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 125cc, of a power not exceeding 11kW and with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.1kW per kg A motor tricycle with power not exceeding 15kW A motorcycle of a power not exceeding 35kW, with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and not being derived from a vehicle of more than double its power A motorcycle of a power exceeding 35kW or with a power to weight ratio exceeding 0.2kW per kg A power not exceeding 35kW with a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0.2kW per kg and derived from a vehicle of more than double its power A motor tricycle with a power exceeding 15kW 4 wheeled light vehicles Motor vehicles with four wheels up to 550kg unladen and invalid carriages Cars Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg Motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3,500kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer over 750kg, where the combination MAM is not exceeding 3,500kg Medium sized vehicles Vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg, and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg Large goods vehicles Vehicles over 3,500kg with a trailer up to 750kg, and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer up to 750kg Minibuses Vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding eight metres with a trailer up to 750kg Buses Any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer up to 750kg Small vehicles and trailers Combinations of vehicles consisting of a vehicle in category B and a trailer, where the combination does not come within category B, and the MAM of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3,500kg Medium sized vehicles with trailers Vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg with a trailer over 750kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer over 750kg combined weight not more than 12,000kg Large goods vehicles with trailers Vehicles over 3,500kg and designed and constructed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers in addition to the driver with a trailer over 750kg. Minibuses with trailers Vehicles with no more than 16 passenger seats in addition to the driver and with a maximum length not exceeding 8 metres with a trailer over 750kg, provided that the MAM of the combination formed does not exceed 12,000kg Buses with trailers Any bus designed and constructed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver, with a trailer over 750kg. AM 16 New category A1 17 Category A2 19 New category A 24 See note 1 Category B1 17 Category descripton B 17 See note 2 C1 18 See note 3 and note 6 C 21 See note 4 D1 21 See note 5 and note 6 Category D 24 See note 5 Min age + category BE 17 C1E 21 See note 3, 4 and note 6 CE 21 See note 4 D1E 21 See note 5 and note 6 Category DE 24 See note 5 Min age + category 4 An FTA Briefing Note

5 Third European Union Directive on Driving Licences Category Minimum age Notes Change Moped Motor vehicles with fewer than four wheels with a maximum design speed exceeding 45km/h but not exceeding 50km/h and which, if propelled by an internal combustion engine, has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc Moped Motor vehicles with fewer than four wheels which if propelled by an internal combustion engine, has a cylinder capacity not exceeding 50cc and, if not equipped with pedals by means of which the vehicle is capable of being propelled, has a maximum design speed not exceeding 25km/h p 16 See note 7 Category q 16 See note 7 New category Agricultural tractors f 17 See note 8 Roadrollers g 21 See note 9 Tracked vehicles h 21 See note 4 & 10 Mowing machines or vehicles controlled by someone on foot k 16 Note 1 Age 24 or 2 years from date of Standard A2 test pass. Tricycle restriction code 79 Note 2 Note 3 Note 4 Note 5 Note 6 Note 7 Note 8 Note 9 Note 10 Age 16 if you are getting Disability Living Allowance (Mobility Allowance) at the higher rate Age 18 if combination weight is under 7,500kg You can drive at age 17 if a member of the armed services. You can drive at 18 if one of the following apply: you passed your driving test and Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) initial qualification you are learning to drive or taking a driving test for this category or Driver CPC initial qualification you are taking a national vocational training course to get a Driver CPC initial qualification, or you had your driving licence before 10 September 2009, you must take the CPC periodic training within 5 years of this date You can drive at age 17 if you are a member of the armed forces. You can drive these vehicles at age 18 if one of the following apply: 1 You are learning to drive or taking a PCV test or Driver CPC initial qualification 2 Having passed a PCV driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification, you can drive under any of the following conditions: driving on a regular service where the route doesn t exceed 50km not engaged in the carriage of passengers driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1 3 Having passed a PCV test before 10 September 2008 and driving under a bus operator s licence, or minibus permit, or community bus permit and any of the following conditions: driving on a regular service where the route doesn t exceed 50km not engaged in the carriage of passengers driving a vehicle of a class included in sub-category D1 Age 20 after passing a PCV driving test and Driver CPC initial qualification. For further advice you can contact the Driving Standards Agency by phoning If you passed your test for category B or B automatic before 1 January 1997 your licence will already show entitlement to C1, C1E (8.25 tonnes), D1 and D1E (not for hire or reward) National category only At 16 you can drive tractors less than 2.45m wide. It must only pull trailers less than 2.45m wide with two wheels, or four wheels that are close-coupled At 17 you can drive small roadrollers with metal or hard rollers. They must not be steam powered, weigh more than tonnes or be made for carrying loads You can drive at 17 if the MAM of the tracked vehicle is not more than 3,500kg An FTA Briefing Note 5

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