Specific and temporary measures in view of COVID-19 outbreak and concerning the validity of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and the postponement of certain periodic checks and training in certain areas of transport legislation

PURPOSE: to introduce temporary flexibility in licensing in different transport sectors in order to help companies and authorities deal with the exceptional circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EU) 2020/698 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down specific and temporary measures in view of the COVID‐19 outbreak concerning the renewal or extension of certain certificates, licences and authorisations and the postponement of certain periodic checks and periodic training in certain areas of transport legislation.

CONTENT: the Regulation concerns specific provisions which affect the application of several Directives and Regulations. It introduces temporary measures to extend the period of validity of certain certificates and licences in the field of road, rail and waterborne transport in response to the exceptional situation caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. It provides for adjustments to this effect, in particular as regards certain time limits, as well as the possibility for the Commission to authorise extensions on the basis of a request submitted by any Member State.

This extension applies, for example, to driving licences, roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and Community licences and driver attestations for the provision of road haulage services, single railway safety certificates or authorisations, boatmasters' certificates or port safety assessments.

It is very likely that certificates, licences and authorisations which, in accordance with Union law, were due to expire between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 will not have been renewed in due time.

Certain periodic inspections planned in the road, rail, maritime and inland waterway sectors shall also be temporarily postponed, as these activities may not be feasible in the present circumstances.

Given the differences in the spread of the pandemic across Europe, some Member States are able to continue to issue specific licences or certificates while for others it is difficult or impossible to do so. The Regulation provides that, even where a Member State itself continues to issue licences, it must recognise any licence, certificate and approval whose validity has been extended by this Regulation. This will help to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market and the continuation of cross-border activities.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 28.5.2020.

APPLICATION: from 4.6.2020.