The rules on driving licences are essential elements of the common transport policy, contribute to improving road safety, and facilitate the free movement of persons taking up residence in a Member State other than that issuing the driving licence. Given the importance of individual means of transport, the possession of a driving licence duly recognised by a host Member State promotes and facilitates free movement and the freedom of establishment of persons. Similarly, any unlawful obtaining of such a document or the right to drive, or the loss of a lawfully gained driving licence by way of unlawful conduct, affects not only the Member State in which such violations were committed, but also road safety throughout the Union.
Text as published in the Official Journal, reproduced verbatim (including any typographical quirks of the source). For the authentic version, see EUR-Lex.
