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Parliamentary question - E-008989/2012Parliamentary question
E-008989/2012

Recognition of German vocational training for professional drivers under EU Directive 2003/59/EC

Question for written answer E-008989-12
to the Commission
Rule 117
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis (ALDE)

Under EU Directive 2003/59/EC, professional drivers must follow a 35-hour programme of periodic vocational training every five years. They must keep the certificate proving they have done so with them while driving.

Under Article 9, this periodic training may also take place in the country of their employer. This point is of major importance since, with the increasing degree of integration in Europe, more and more professional drivers work abroad or must produce such a certificate for inspection in another Member State.

As MEP for my constituency, the Saarland, I receive innumerable indications that training courses followed in Germany are not recognised by the French authorities.

German driving licence authorities, on the other hand, do generally recognise certificates obtained in France.

1. Does the Commission regard the refusal by some Member States to recognise vocational training certificates from other countries as a breach of the relevant article of EU Directive 2003/59/EC?

2. If so, is it planning to take any action on this matter?

OJ C 294 E, 10/10/2013