Member States shall recognise as sufficient proof of professional competence a certificate which complies with the model certificate set out in Annex III and which is issued by the authority or body duly authorised for that purpose.

A certificate issued before 4 December 2011 as proof of professional competence pursuant to the provisions in force until that date shall be deemed to be equivalent to a certificate which complies with the model certificate set out in Annex III and shall be recognised as proof of professional competence in all Member States. Member States may require that holders of certificates of professional competence valid only for national transport pass the examinations, or parts of the examinations, referred to in Article 8(1).