Article 2
Directive 2006/126/EC is amended as follows:
1. Article 4 is amended as follows:
  1. paragraph 4 is amended as follows:
    1. in point (e), the third indent is replaced by the following:
      - the minimum age for categories C1 and C1E is fixed at 18 years;
;
    2. in point (g), the second indent is replaced by the following:
      - the minimum age for categories C and CE is fixed at 21 years;
;
    3. in point (i), the second indent is replaced by the following:
      - the minimum age for categories D1 and D1E is fixed at 21 years;
;
    4. in point (k), the second indent is replaced by the following:
      - the minimum age for categories D and DE is fixed at 24 years;
;
  2. the following paragraph is added:
7.
By way of derogation from the minimum ages laid down in points (g), (i) and (k) of paragraph 4 of this Article, the minimum age for issuing a driving licence in categories C and CE; D1 and D1E; and D and DE respectively shall be the minimum age prescribed for the driving of such vehicles for holders of a CPC laid down in Article 5(2), the first paragraph of Article 5(3)(a)(i), the first paragraph of Article 5(3)(a)(ii) or point (b) of Article 5(3) of Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as applicable.
Where, in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 5(3)(a)(i) or the second paragraph of Article 5(3)(a)(ii) of Directive 2003/59/EC, a Member State authorises driving within its territory from a lower age, the validity of the driving licence shall be limited to the territory of the issuing Member State until such time as the licence holder has reached the relevant minimum age referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph and holds a CPC.
.
2. in Article 6(4), the following point is added:
(c)
alternatively fuelled vehicles referred to in Article 2 of Council Directive 96/53/EC with a maximum authorised mass above 3 500 kg but not exceeding 4 250 kg for the transport of goods operating without a trailer by holders of a category B driving licence which was issued at least two years before, provided that the mass in excess of 3 500 kg is due exclusively to the excess of mass of the propulsion system in relation to the propulsion system of a vehicle of the same dimensions, which is equipped with a conventional internal combustion engine with positive ignition or compression ignition, and provided that the cargo capacity is not increased in relation to the same vehicle.
.
3. Article 15 is replaced by the following:

Mutual Assistance
Article 15
1
Member States shall assist one another in the implementation of this Directive and shall exchange information on the licences they have issued, exchanged, replaced, renewed or revoked. They shall use the EU driving licence network set up for these purposes, once this network is operational.
2
The network may also be used for the exchange of information for control purposes provided for in Union legislation.
3
Member States shall ensure that the processing of personal data referred to in this Directive is carried out solely for the purpose of implementing this Directive and Directives 2003/59/EC and (EU) 2015/413 of the European Parliament and of the Council . Any processing of personal data carried out within the framework of this Directive shall be in accordance with Regulations (EU) 2016/679 and (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
4
Access to the network shall be secured. Member States may grant access only to the competent authorities responsible for the implementation of, and for the control of compliance with, this Directive and Directives 2003/59/EC and (EU) 2015/413.
.
Directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 July 2003 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 and Council Directive 91/439/EEC and repealing Council Directive 76/914/EEC (OJ L 226, 10.9.2003, p. 4).’.
Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorized dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorized weights in international traffic (OJ L 235, 17.9.1996, p. 59).’.
Directive (EU) 2015/413 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2015 facilitating cross-border exchange of information on road-safety-related traffic offences (OJ L 68, 13.3.2015, p. 9);
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1);
Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1).’.