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Extension of time limits provided for in Directive 2006/126/EC 1. Notwithstanding Article 7 of Directive 2006/126/EC and point 3(d) of Annex I to that Directive, the validity of driving licences 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 from the date of expiry referred to in each such driving licence.

2. Where a Member State considers that the renewal of driving licences 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 paragraph 1. That request may concern the period between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 or the period of seven months, or both. It shall be submitted to the Commission by 1 August 2020.

3. Where, upon a request submitted in accordance with paragraph 2, 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 paragraph 1, as justified in each case. The extension shall be limited to reflect the period during which the renewal of driving licence 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.

4. Where a Member State has not been, and is likely not to be, confronted by difficulties that rendered the renewal of driving licences impracticable during the period between 1 February 2020 and 31 August 2020 as a consequence of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the COVID‐19 outbreak, or has taken appropriate national measures to mitigate such difficulties, that Member State may decide not to apply paragraph 1, after first informing the Commission. The Commission shall inform the other Member States thereof and shall publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union. The Member State that has decided not to apply paragraph 1 as provided for in the first subparagraph shall not impede the cross‐border activities of any economic operator or individual that has relied on derogations set out in paragraph 1 that apply in another Member State.