3. For driving on their territory, Member States may grant
the following equivalences:
(a) motor tricycles under a licence for category B, for motor
tricycles with a power exceeding 15 kW provided that the
holder of the licence for category B is at least 21 years old;
(b) category A1 motorcycles under a licence for category B.
As this paragraph is only valid on their territories, Member
States shall not indicate on the driving licence that a holder is
entitled to drive these vehicles.
4. Member States may, after consulting the Commission,
authorise the driving on their territory of:
(a) vehicles of category D1 (with a maximum authorised mass
of 3 500 kg, excluding any specialised equipment intended
for the carriage of disabled passengers) by holders over 21
years old of a driving licence for category B which was
obtained at least two years earlier provided that the vehicles
are being used by non-commercial bodies for social
purposes and that the driver provides his services on a
voluntary basis;
(b) vehicles of a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3 500 kg
by holders over 21 years old of a driving licence for cate-
gory B which was obtained at least two years before,
provided that the main purpose of the vehicles is to be used
only when stationary as an instructional or recreational
area, and that they are being used by non-commercial
bodies for social purposes and that vehicles have been modi-
fied so that they may not be used either for the transport of
more than nine persons or for the transport of any goods
other than those strictly necessary for their purposes.
Article 7
Issue, validity and renewal
1. Driving licences shall be issued only to those applicants:
(a) who have passed a test of skills and behaviour and a theore-
tical test and who meet medical standards, in accordance
with the provisions of Annexes II and III;
(b) who have passed a theory test only as regards category AM;
Member States may require applicants to pass a test of skills
and behaviour and a medical examination for this categor y.
For tricycles and quadricycles within this category, Member
States may impose a distinctive test of skills and behaviour.
For the differentiation of vehicles in category AM, a national
code may be inserted on the driving licence;
(c) who have, as regards category A2 or category A, on the
condition of having acquired a minimum of 2 years' experi-
ence on a motorcycle in category A1 or in category A2
respectively, passed a test of skills and behaviour only, or
completed a training pursuant to Annex VI;
(d) who have completed a training or passed a test of skills and
behaviour, or completed a training and passed a test of skills
and behaviour pursuant to Annex V as regards category B
for driving a vehicle combination as defined in the second
subparagraph of Article 4(4)(b);
(e) who have their normal residence in the territory of the
Member State issuing the licence, or can produce evidence
that they have been studying there for at least six months.
2. (a) As from 19 January 2013, licences issued by Member
States for categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1 and BE shall
have an administrative validity of 10 years.
A Member State may choose to issue such licences with
an administrative validity of up to 15 years;
(b) As from 19 January 2013, licences issued by Member
States for categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E
shall have an administrative validity of 5 years;
(c) The renewal of a driving licence may trigger a new
administrative validity period for another category or
categories the licence holder is entitled to drive, insofar
as this is in confor mity with the conditions laid down in
this Directive;
(d) The presence of a microchip pursuant to Article 1 shall
not be a prerequisite for the validity of a driving licence.
The loss or unreadability of the microchip, or any other
damage thereto, shall not affect the validity of the docu-
ment.
3. The renewal of driving licences when their administrative
validity expires shall be subject to:
(a) continuing compliance with the minimum standards of
physical and mental f itness for driving set out in Annex III
for driving licences in categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1,
D1E; and
(b) normal residence in the territory of the Member State
issuing the licence, or evidence that applicants have been
studying there for at least six months.
Member States may, when renewing driving licences in cate-
gories AM, A, A1, A2, B, B1 and BE, require an examination
applying the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness
for driving set out in Annex III.
30.12.2006L 403/24 Official Journal of the European Union
EN