Commission Decision (EU) 2016/1945 of 14 October 2016 on equivalences between categories of driving licences (notified under document C(2016) 6517) (Text with EEA relevance)

Codes which are used in this Annex indicate the restriction of corresponding entitlements are harmonised European Union codes as specified in Annex I to Directive 2006/126/EC.

Description: The model appears in one of the following languages: Dutch, French and German. Differences as regards colour and printing of the model exist. Pink paper model (105/222 mm) with six pages.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   B* for vehicles of category B used as taxi, for car hire, staff transport, etc.

2. 2..

   To be entitled to drive vehicles of category AF and/or BF, the validation of category A and/or B was required, as well as of category F, as well as the indication of the number of the registration plate on the licence.

Description: In conformity with Directive 2006/126/EC.

Description: Material: Multi-coloured banknote paper, enclosed in plastic. Circular holographic image (with ‘CZ’ in the centre) in laminate overlaps photograph at lower left. Photo: 35 mm × 45 mm affixed in the frame space on the front side with an official stamp including the name of the issuing authority and the state coat of arms.

Validity of driving licence: up to lifetime. This model has to be exchanged by 31 December 2013.

Description: The model is pink, with four pages.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   The Danish category A1 is a motorcycle without sidecar and A2 is motorcycle with sidecar. Those categories are therefore not corresponding to the subcategories A1 and A2 as defined in Directive 2006/126/EC. Entitlement to drive with the Danish category A1 is restricted to motorcycles without a sidecar, and A2 is restricted to motorcycles with sidecar. Holders of the Danish category A1 and/or A2 are entitled to obtain full AM, A1, A2, and A in other Member States.

2. 2..

   Holders of the Danish category B are also authorized to drive motor tricycles.

This model is no longer valid for driving in Denmark, since a mandatory exchange of all licences was imposed in the years 1991 to 1993. Nevertheless, the licence can be renewed to a new driving licence issued by Denmark and has to be recognised by other Member States until 19 January 2033.

Description: Grey, four pages. A variety of differences as regards colour and form of the model may occur in practice, since this model has been issued for over 40 years. Models issued in the Land of Saarland may have a different size and are bilingual (German and French).

Additional information:

Further entitlements of a very specific and limited kind, which are not displayed in the tables, may emerge. In the rare circumstance that such a case does occur, German issuing authorities will have to be contacted in case of doubt about the scope of a particular entitlement.

1. 1..

   If a ‘Klasse 1’ licence was obtained before 1 December 1954 (before 1 October 1960 in the Land of Saarland), the holder is entitled to drive category B in addition, without having to exchange the licence.

2. 2..

   If the holder of a ‘Klasse 2’ entitlement had his 50th birthday before 1 January 2000, his entitlement ceased to be valid on 31 December 2000. In case this licence holder exchanged his licence for a new model before 1 January 2001, the period of validity and the periodicity of medical examination for the new model apply. If a holder turns 50 after 31 December 1999, he has to exchange his licence for a new model on his 50th birthday at the latest and thereafter a period of validity of five years applies.

3. 3..

   If a ‘Klasse 2’ or a ‘Klasse 3’ licence was obtained before 1 December 1954 (before 1 October 1960 in the Land of Saarland), the holder is entitled to drive category A in addition.

   If a ‘Klasse 2’ or a ‘Klasse 3’ licence was obtained after the above dates but before 1 April 1980, it entitles the holder to drive category A1 in addition.

4. 4..

   The holder of a ‘Klasse 3’ licence is also entitled to drive the following vehicle: CE 79 (C1E > 12 t, L ≤ 3) (= not more than three axles in total).

5. 5..

   The holder of a licence of ‘Klasse 3’ is entitled to drive buses without passengers on domestic territory with a maximum weight of no more than 7,5 t. The holder of a licence of ‘Klasse 2’ is entitled to drive buses without passengers on domestic territory.

6. 6..

   Where a ‘Klasse 4’ entitlement was granted before 1 December 1954 (before 1 October 1960 in the Land of Saarland) it is not a national category only but entitles the holder to drive the following categories: A, B.

   In case a ‘Klasse 4’ licence was issued after the above dates, but before 1 April 1980, it entitles the holder to drive category A1.

7. 7..

   A1 is also valid for category A1 motorcycles with a power/weight ratio above 0,1 kW/kg (code 79.05)

8. 8..

   A1 is also valid for A1 motorcycles with a power/weight ratio above 0,1 kW/kg (code 79.05). A is restricted to tricycles (code 79.03) and tricycles combined with a trailer having a maximum authorized mass not exceeding 750 kg (code 79.04). BE is also valid for category BE vehicle where the maximum authorized mass of the trailer exceeds 3 500 kg (code 79.06)

9. 9..

   A1 and A is restricted to tricycles (code 79.03) and tricycles combined with a trailer having a maximum authorized mass not exceeding 750 kg (code 79.04). BE is also valid for category BE vehicle where the maximum authorized mass of the trailer exceeds 3 500 kg (code 79.06).

Description: The colour of the driving licence is pink and it is made of special synthetic paper called (TESLIN, ISO 9002; 1994) that is fully covered with the security plastic. Paper has net security pattern; plastic cover has embossed pattern ‘EST’ on back with six wavy lines. Data are printed, photo is scanned.

Additional Information:

• Restriction(s), on the code form:

  1

• Spectacles or contact lenses required;

2

• Hearing-aid required;

3

• Valid for hand operated vehicles;

4

• Max power for category A should not exceed 25 kW or 0,16 kW/kg;

5

• Automatic gearbox.

• The word ‘ESMANE’ on the central bottom of the front indicates that the licence holder is a novice driver; the validity of such licence is limited to two years.

Max power for category A should not exceed 25 kW or 0,16 kW/kg.

Description: Blue and yellow with black characters.

This licence consists of twelve pages and concerns the categories Β, Γ, Δ, Ε.

Description: Pink paper model with six pages in accordance with Annex I to Directive 91/439/EEC.

Description: Pink card with two pages, photo on front.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   If nothing is indicated on the reverse of the licence, it is not valid for driving vehicles of categories 1^o, 2^o, 3^o. Therefore the equivalent entitlement to a category B, which is not contained within one of the three described categories, has not been indicated on the document. A line in the table shows this: ‘—’.

2. 2..

   The equivalence with Category A1 (mopeds and vehicles of Category L4e) is valid only in case of justified driving practice in the 5 years preceding 1 January 2011 (information provided by the insurance company), or, after presentation of a certificate of attendance of a training of 3 or 7 hours.

Description: Pink paper model, folded, six pages.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   Category H was valid for mopeds and working machinery such as loader, forklift etc.

2. 2..

   Category G was valid for tractors. Categories G and H was a separate categories, but they were issued also to the holders of driving licences of category B, C or D.

3. 3..

   Category E were separate category, but valid only when combined with another category (B, C or D).

4. 4..

   Category F was valid for trams.

Description: Pink paper model with plastic laminate.

Additional information:

This model was issued in bilingual format, with the Irish (Gaelic) text preceding the English.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   Every category is also valid for categories A1, A2, and A only if issued before 1 January 1986.

2. 2..

   Every category is also valid for categories A1 only on the national territory if issued from 1 January 1986.

Description: Pink paper model with six pages.

Description: pink plastic card model.

Additional information:

• National categories TRAM and TROL entitles to drive trams and trolleybuses accordingly.

• There are separate licences issued for agricultural and forestry tractors.

Description: yellow sealed, laminated two-sided card model.

Additional information:

• On this model no expiry date is indicated.

• The holder of any licence is additionally entitled to drive AM vehicles.

Description: Pink paper model with six pages.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   If a licence category B1/B2 was issued before 1 July 1977, the holder is entitled to drive category A.

2. 2..

   Category E2 comprises the entitlement to drive vehicles with trailers and semi-trailers with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 1 750 kg.

3. 3..

   National categories.

Description: Pink paper model, folded, six pages.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   The category ‘E’ is only valid together with harmonized categories the driver is already entitled to drive, e.g.: The entitlement of a category ‘B’and a category ‘E’, are considered to be a combined category ‘B + E’.

Description: pink paper licence, 221 mm × 100 mm when opened, first issued in July 1991, folded in six pages.

Additional information:

The licence is printed in Maltese and English. The paper licence is a serial-numbered on two sides and covered with small Malta police emblems. A larger emblem is embossed partly on the photograph and partly on the licence and a large Maltese emblem can be seen in the central large box over the serial number.

Description: Pink paper licence, size 106 mm × 222 mm.

Additional information:

• Although the period of validity of these driving licences has expired, this model is included in this Decree because these licences are eligible for renewal.

• If such a driving licence is exchanged, the following acquired rights apply.

  1. 1..

     The acquired right to drive a three-wheeled motor vehicle with category B. (Harmonised code 79.03 may be used for this.)

  2. 2..

     The acquired right to tow a trailer of more than 3 500 kg with category BE. (Harmonised code 79.06 may be used for this.)

Description: 15 × 10,5 cm grey, thick but simple paper.

Additional information:

On models issued from 1947 to September 1951, on page 4 there is a printed reference that these models were issued in exchange for a German driving licence.

Description: Identification card (horizontal layout), size 53,98 × 85,60 mm. Thickness: 0,76 mm, plastic card in pink tones with a clear protective overlay.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   Document confirming the right to drive a moped by a person aged 13-18 years old is the moped-licence; person aged over 18 years old may drive a moped without entitlement.

2. 2..

   Category ‘T’ entitles to drive agricultural tractor with trailer (trailers) or slow-moving vehicle with a trailer (trailers) only on Polish territory.

Description: Pink paper model with black characters, 6 pages, 105 × 222 mm.

Description: Licence book with one paper leaf inside. Pink. Dimensions for one page: 74 × 105 mm.

This model is no longer valid for driving in Romania, since a mandatory exchange of all licences was imposed in the years 1995 to 2001. Nevertheless, the licence can be renewed to a new driving licence issued by Romania and has to be recognised by other Member States until 19 January 2033.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   Category E was a category on its own and it was only valid in combination with another category, in the following way: E + B = BE; E + C = CE; E + D = DE.

Description: Pink paper model, folded, six pages.

The model may be issued in the following languages: Slovenian; Slovenian and Italian (bilingual); Slovenian and Hungarian (bilingual).

Additional information:

1. 1..

   The following restrictions may apply to category A (endorsed under the notes section):

   • ‘A — LE DO 50 KM/H’, or ‘21800 A LE DO 50 KM/H’, or ‘A 79 (< 50 KM/H)’: restriction to drive A1 79 (< 50 km/h) motorcycles only.

   • ‘A — DO 125 CCM’, or ‘20500 A <= 125 CCM’, or ‘A <= 125 CCM IN <= 11KW’, or ‘20800 A <= 125 CCM IN <= 11 KW’, or ‘72. (A1)’:entitles to drive category A1 motorcycles only;

   • ‘A <= 25 KW ALI <= 0,16 KW/KG’, or ‘20900 A <= 25 KW ALI <= 0,16 KW/KG’; or ‘A 209. (<= 25 KW ALI <= 0,16 KW/KG)’: entitles to drive category A motorcycles with the power output not exceeding 25 kW and a power to weight ratio not exceeding 0,16 kW/kg;

   • ‘A — DO 350 CCM’ or ‘20700 A <= 350 CCM’: entitles to drive category A motorcycles at the age of 20 years (or over).

2. 2..

   If the following is endorsed under the Notes section:

   ‘E — LE Z VOZILI B KATEGORIJE’ or ‘20600 E LE Z VOZILI B KATEGORIJE’ or ‘E 206. LE Z VOZILI B KAT.’: the holder is additionally entitled to drive vehicles of category BE.

3. 3..

   Holders of an E licence are entitled to drive DE vehicles in addition in case they have previously obtained category D.

Description: Pink sealed card model consisting of two pages.

Dimensions 105 × 74mm; paper in thermoplastic foil.

Security features: a special UV fluorescent printing applied for the driving licence number and a guilloche offset. Printing in the background on both pages of the document.

Additional information:

• Until 1 January 2004, the text ‘skúšobná lehota’ (probation period) was recorded in the table Osobitné záznamy (additional records) on the back page of the document. The probation period of two years was counted from the date of issue. Therefore, such documents had a limited validity of two years recorded in point 7. After exchange of such a licence, no period of validity was recorded in the exchanged licence. All categories are valid for life.

• Harmonised Codes:

  Okuliare potrebné

• 01

Ručné riadenie

• This restriction depends on the physical handicap of the holder and can relate to more than one EU code — it can cover one or more of the following EU codes: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 42, 43 and 44.

Description: Pink paper model, two pages.

Description: Driving licence was issued as an ID-1 card made of polycarbonate.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   Licence holders who obtained their category A entitlement with the restriction to light motorcycles before 1 July 1996 are entitled to drive motor vehicles with a cubic capacity not exceeding 125 cm³, without a power (kW) limitation. This right remains until the driving licence expires. On issue of a new driving licence after withdrawal the holder is only entitled to drive A1 vehicles according to Directive 2006/126/EC. The renewal or issue of a driving licence in cases other than after withdrawal does not affect previous rights.

2. 2..

   Licence holders who obtained a category B licence before 1 July 1996 are entitled to drive private cars with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3,5 t, as long as the vehicle is registered as a private car and not as a light lorry. This right remains until the driving licence expires. On issue of a new driving licence after withdrawal the holder is only entitled to drive B vehicles according to Directive 2006/126/EC. The renewal or issue of a driving licence in cases other than after withdrawal does not affect previous rights.

3. 3..

   Licence holders who obtained a category A1 or A licence before 19 January 2013 are entitled to drive four-wheel motorcycles. This right remains until the driving licence expires. On issue of a new driving licence after withdrawal the holder is only entitled to drive A1 or A vehicles according to Directive 2006/126/EC. The renewal or issue of a driving licence in cases other than after withdrawal does not affect previous rights.

4. 4..

   Licence holders who obtained a category A1 licence before 19 January 2013 are entitled to drive A1 motorcycles with a power/weight ratio exceeding 0,1 kW/kg (code 79.05). This right remains until the driving licence expires. On issue of a new driving licence after withdrawal the holder is only entitled to drive A1 vehicles according to Directive 2006/126/EC. The renewal or issue of a driving licence in cases other than after withdrawal does not affect previous rights.

5. 5..

   Licence holders who obtained a category A licence before 19 January 2013 are entitled to drive motorcycles with power exceeding 25 kW or with a power/weight ratio exceeding 0,16 kW/kg only if they have held a category A licence for at least two years or have passed a driving test on a motorcycle of this type after reaching 21 years of age.

6. 6..

   Licence holders who obtained a category B licence before 19 January 2013 are entitled to drive motor tricycles of any power. This right remains until the driving licence expires. Category B licences issued after withdrawal after 19 January 2013 entitle the holder to drive motor tricycles with a net power exceeding 15 kW only in Swedish territory and provided that the holder is 21 or older. The renewal or issue of a driving licence in cases other than after withdrawal does not affect previous rights.

7. 7..

   Licence holders who obtained a category BE licence before 19 January 2013 are entitled to drive vehicles where the maximum authorised mass of the trailer exceeds 3,5 t (code 79.06). This right remains until the driving licence expires. On issue of a new driving licence after withdrawal the holder is only entitled to drive BE vehicles according to Directive 2006/126/EC. The renewal or issue of a driving licence in cases other than after withdrawal does not affect previous rights.

Description: Green long model, which is folded.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   Holders of group A are entitled to drive D1 and D1E vehicles not for hire and reward (not for professional use, no paying passengers whether directly or indirectly) and C1E vehicles provided the combined weight of the trailer and the towing vehicle does not exceed 8,25 tonnes.

2. 2..

   As holders of group A, but all vehicles with automatic transmission only.

Description: Green paper, laminated, with two pages.

Additional information:

1. 1..

   The entitlement to drive category C of those licences refers only to professional driving of category B and/or E and has no relevance in view of Directive 91/439/EEC.

Description: Blue paper model, Size A-5.

General remark for all models: All Norwegian driving licences have preprinted text in ‘bokmål’ or ‘nynorsk’. The two forms of language have equal status. The words ‘førerkort’ and ‘Norge’ show the text is in ‘bokmål’; ‘førarkort’ and ‘Noreg’ indicate the ‘nynorsk’ form.

Description: dark green cover, model folded in format A7, six pages. The word ‘Førerkort’ or ‘Førarkort’ is printed on the front cover.

Additional information:

This model is valid until the holder's 100th birthday, provided the licence has a period of validity of 10 years and was valid on 2 April 1982. National authorities recommend holders to exchange into model N4 prior to driving abroad or to carry with them in addition a certified translation or an international driving permit in accordance with the Vienna 1968 Convention on Road Traffic.