Article 12 — Extension of validity in the event of a crisis

1. In the event of a crisis, Members States may extend the period of administrative validity of driving licences that would otherwise expire, for a maximum period of six months. The extension may be renewed where the crisis persists. 2. Any such extension shall be duly justified and notified immediately to the Commission. The Commission shall immediately publish this information in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member States shall recognise the validity of driving licences the period of administrative validity of which has been extended under this Article. 3. On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency relating to the crisis referred to in paragraph 1 that affects two or more Member States, the Commission may adopt immediately applicable implementing acts in order to extend the period of administrative validity of all or certain categories of driving licences that would otherwise expire. That extension shall not exceed six months and may be renewed where the crisis persists. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 26(3). 4. Where a Member State is not, and is not likely to be, affected by difficulties that rendered the renewal of driving licences impracticable as a consequence of the crisis affecting two or more Member States referred to in paragraph 3, or has taken appropriate national measures to mitigate the impact of that crisis, that Member State may, after having informed the Commission, decide not to apply the extension introduced by the implementing act referred to in paragraph 3. The Commission shall inform the other Member States thereof and publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union.