Article 1
This Decision shall apply to all valid driving licences issued by the Member States which are in circulation.
Article 2
Tables of equivalences between categories of driving licences, which have been issued in Member States before the implementation of Directive 2006/126/EC and the harmonised categories of driving licences as defined in Article 4 of Directive 2006/126/EC are set out in the Annex to this Decision.
Article 3
1
Categories of driving licences which have been issued prior to the implementation of Directive 2006/126/EC entitle the holder to drive vehicles of the corresponding categories as described in the Annex without exchange of the driving licence. Certain restrictions may apply and are stated for the relevant entitlement in the Annex.
2
On exchange of a driving licence to an EU model driving licence as described in Annex I to Directive 2006/126/EC the equivalent entitlements shall be granted as described in the Annex.
3
Codes which indicate the restriction of corresponding entitlements are harmonised EU codes as specified in Annex I to Directive 2006/126/EC.
4
The principle of mutual recognition as stated in Article 2(1) of Directive 2006/126/EC does not apply to national categories of driving licences.
Article 4
This Decision shall apply as from 19 January 2013.
Decision 2008/766/EC is repealed with effect from 19 January 2013.
Article 5
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 18 December 2012.
For the Commission
Siim Kallas
Vice-President