Drivers of road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers – qualification and training

SUMMARY OF:

Directive (EU) 2022/2561 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers (codification)

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DIRECTIVE?

Directive (EU) 2022/2561 codifies the European Union (EU) rules to improve road and driver safety by setting minimum training standards for professional drivers, requiring them to have an initial qualification and undergo periodic training.

KEY POINTS

The directive:

applies to EU nationals and to non-EU individuals driving for a company established in an EU Member State using vehicles:
- with a maximum authorised mass of more than 3,500 kg, which are designed for the carriage of no more than eight passengers and which may be combined with a trailer or semi-trailer (driving licence category C),
- that are designed for the carriage of more than eight passengers in addition to the driver and that may be combined with a trailer (driving licence category D);
does not apply to drivers of vehicles:
- with a maximum speed of up to 45 km/h,
- operated by the armed forces, civil defence and public order forces, or fire and emergency ambulance services in the course of their duties,
- being road-tested for technical development, repairs or maintenance or new or rebuilt vehicles not yet in service,
- falling into category D, driven without passengers by maintenance personnel,
- used for emergencies, rescues, non-commercial transport of humanitarian aid, driving lessons and tests or non-commercial transport of passengers or goods,
- carrying material, equipment or machinery drivers need for work,
- used in rural areas to supply the driver’s own business, not used for transport services and whose use is occasional without any impact on road safety,
- used by agricultural, horticultural, forestry, farming or fishing businesses.

Qualification and training

The initial qualification:

consists of:
- course attendance of 280 hours, including 20 hours of individual driving, followed by a written or oral test, or
- accelerated training of 140 hours teaching, 10 hours of individual driving and a written or oral test, or
- no course attendance but a theoretical test lasting a minimum of 4 hours and two practical driving tests;
requires a thorough knowledge of the detailed list of subjects listed in Section I, Annex I – these range from optimising fuel consumption and anticipating, assessing and adapting to traffic risks, to ensuring passenger safety and knowledge of relevant regulations;
is not necessary for drivers with a category D licence issued no later than 9 September 2008 or a category C licence issued no later than 9 September 2009 (‘grandfather rights’);
allows drivers qualified to carry goods or passengers to extend this to the other category without having to repeat the common parts of the initial qualification;
provides successful applicants with a certificate of professional competence (CPC) that is mutually recognised across the EU.

The CPC may be obtained by drivers from the age of 18, 21 or 23, depending on the category of vehicle they use and the type of qualification they followed. In such cases, the same minimum ages also apply to the issuance of the relevant category C or D driving licence, which are in all cases lower than the standard minimum ages for those categories provided in Directive 2006/126/EC (see summary).

Periodic training requires drivers to update their knowledge every 5 years by attending at least 35 hours of courses, including classroom teaching and practical training, organised by an approved training centre. Successful applicants receive a CPC. Up to 12 hours of the 35 hours of training may be provided through e-learning.

EU nationals obtain the initial qualification in the Member State of their normal residence. Non-EU nationals do so in the Member State where their employer is based or in the Member State that issued the work permit to them. All drivers have to undergo the periodic training either in the Member State of normal residence or the Member State where they work.

Member States’ authorities include the initial qualification and periodic training CPCs in the form of code ‘95’ on an individual’s EU model driving licence (Directive 2006/126/EC) or driver qualification card. In the case of non-EU nationals, the code may also be marked on the driver attestation issued in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 (see summary).

Member States exchange information on CPCs issued or withdrawn through an electronic network.

The European Commission may adopt delegated acts to amend Annexes I and II (minimum qualification and training requirements and arrangements for the driver qualification card) in the light of scientific and technical progress.

FROM WHEN DO THE RULES APPLY?

The directive repeals Directive 2003/59/EC, which, in its latest form, contained identical rules. The rules have applied since 12 January 2023.

BACKGROUND

The directive helps meet the EU’s targets of reducing road fatalities, gives the profession a minimum standard of theoretical and practical knowledge and facilitates the free movement of workers. Moreover, by teaching drivers to drive in a fuel-efficient way, it also helps lower the environmental impact of road transport.

For further information, see:

Professional drivers (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Directive (EU) 2022/2561 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers (codification) (OJ L 330, 23.12.2022, pp. 46–69).

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