Driving licence, new Community model (amend. Directive 91/439/EEC)

OBJECTIVE: to allow those Member States that so wish, according to their specific requirements, the possibility of issuing a new Community model driving licence, represented by a 'credit card'- format document, which will constitute an alternative to the paper model provided for in Annex I to Directive 91/439/EEC. The new provisions are designed, inter alia, to facilitate the free movement of persons and their possible establishment in a Member State other than that which had issued them a driving licence. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Directive 96/47/EC amending Directive 91/439/EEC on driving licences. SUBSTANCE: the Directive harmonizes the information, in the form of codes, entered in the driving licence, indicating the conditions under which the driver is authorized to drive (wearing of spectacles obligatory, modifications to vehicles, driving restricted to vehicles equipped with automatic transmission, etc.) and/or information referring to administrative procedures such as the issuing of duplicates or exchange of the licence. The Directive also provides for the option, with the holder's consent, of entering information not directly related to the administration of the driving licence (such as indication of blood group, willingness to donate organs, etc.). Finally, it confirms that no electronic and/or computerized device may be introduced into the driving licence without prior agreement at Community level. DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE: 18 September 1996 DEADLINE FOR TRANSPOSITION INTO NATIONAL LEGISLATION: 1 July 1996. �