Croatia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden will have to explain themselves to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding implementation of the directive on driving licences (Directive 2006/126/EC), according to a European Commission referral on Wednesday 15 February.
What does the Commission reproach them for? It believes the Netherlands has incorrectly implemented the European provisions relating to the periods of harmonised validity of driving licences; Portugal has failed to ensure that one person holds only one licence and Sweden has failed to correctly transpose the requirements on medical fitness, especially for drivers who are dependent on alcohol.
In addition, the European Commission has decided to refer Croatia to the Court for failing to connect to the EU driving licences network ("RESPER"), as required by the directive. RESPER can help member states cooperate with each other and ensure that licences are issued in accordance with EU rules. The exchange of information through RESPER should have started on 19 January 2013.
The Commission opened these infringement proceedings in October 2015, with a reasoned opinion sent to the member states concerned in June 2016. Since they have still not fulfilled their obligations, the Commission has decided to refer the cases to the Court. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)