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Extension of time limits provided for in Directive 2003/59/EC 1. Notwithstanding Article 8(2) and (3) of Directive 2003/59/EC, the time limits for the completion, by the holder of a certificate of professional competence (CPC), of periodic training which, in accordance with those provisions, would otherwise have expired or would otherwise expire between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 shall be deemed to be, or to have been, extended for a period of seven months in each case. The CPC shall remain valid accordingly.

2. The validity of the marking of harmonised Union code, ‘95’ provided for in Annex I to Directive 2006/126/EC made by the competent authorities either on the driving licence or on the driver qualification card referred to in Article 10(1) of Directive 2003/59/EC on the basis of the CPC referred to in paragraph 1 of that Article shall be deemed to be extended for a period of seven months from the date indicated on each such driving licence or driver qualification card.

3. The validity of driver qualification cards referred to in Annex II to Directive 2003/59/EC which would otherwise have expired or would otherwise expire between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 shall be deemed to be, or to have been, extended for a period of seven months from the expiry date indicated on each such card.

4. Without prejudice to the cross‐border activities referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article, measures taken by Member States in accordance with the provisions of Directives 2003/59/EC and 2006/126/EC referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this Article during the period between 1 February 2020 and 28 May 2020 shall remain valid.

5. Where a Member State considers that the completion of periodic training or its certification, the marking of the harmonised Union code, ‘95’, or the renewal of driver qualification cards is likely to remain impracticable beyond 31 August 2020, due to measures that it has taken to prevent or contain the spread of COVID‐19, it may submit a reasoned request for an authorisation to apply an extension of the periods specified in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, as relevant. That request may concern the period between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 or the periods of seven months specified in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3, as relevant, or both. It shall be submitted to the Commission by 1 August 2020.

6. Where, upon a request submitted in accordance with paragraph 5, the Commission finds that the requirements laid down in that paragraph are fulfilled, it shall adopt a decision authorising the Member State concerned to apply an extension of the periods specified in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 respectively, as justified in each case. The extension shall be limited to reflect the period during which completion of the periodic training in question or the certification thereof, the marking of the harmonised Union code, ‘95’, or the renewal of driver qualification cards, is likely to remain impracticable and, in any event, shall not be longer than six months. The Commission shall publish that decision in the Official Journal of the European Union.