English abstract
Regulatory framework
In accordance with the Directive n° 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union of the 15th July 2003, transferred into French law by the modified decree n°2007-1340 of the 11th September 2007, a Driver Qualification Card is delivered to each lorry or bus driver following either
- An initial obligatory minimum training course (FIMO, “Formation Initiale Minimum Obligatoire”) or long training course for lorry or bus driver (CPC)
- A “bridging” training course allowing drivers to pass from a Passenger Carrying Vehicles driver qualification to a Large Goods Vehicles driver qualification, or the reverse.
- An obligatory periodic training course session (FCO, “Formation Continue Obligatoire”) every 5 years
Card delivery
In France, the ministry of transport decided to commission the Chronoservices company (a subsidiary of the Imprimerie Nationale group) to manufacture, issue and manage the Driver Qualification Cards.
Authorised training centers request the cards from Chronoservices and deliver them to trainees that have completed appropriate training within their center.
General characteristics
Physical characteristics of the card are complying with ISO 7810 and ISO 7816-1 standards. It is made of polycarbonate in ID1 format and is customized on both sides.
A distinguishing sign of the delivering Member State, i.e. F for France, surrounded by 12 stars in a blue rectangle, is printed in top left corner of the face of the card.
The mention “modèle des Communautés europénnes “ followed by the translation of “Driver Qualification Card” into 11 other European Union official languages appears on the cards background.
Holder’s personal data are printed in black while information specific to the card is printed in blue.
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Holder’s personal data
1. Surname 2. First name 3. Date and place of birth Information specific to the card
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On the back of the card, the European Community code “95” is printed in front of driving licence categories for which the driver fulfils training requirements, i. e. D or E/D for carrying passengers, C or E/C for carrying goods.
The obtaining of an E/C or E/D driving licence does not imply a new card will be issued. New driving licence information will be integrated into the new card issued after the next obligatory periodic training course session (FCO, “Formation Continue Obligatoire”). |
Les formations initiales, c’est-à-dire :
- Les formations longues (CAP, BEP ou Titre professionnel de conducteur routier)
- La formation accélérée (FIMO)
Les formations dites « passerelle » d’une durée de 35 heures, qui permettent au conducteur déjà qualifié pour le transport de marchandises d’obtenir une qualification pour le transport de voyageurs, ou inversement.
La formation continue obligatoire (FCO).
Non. Le conducteur d’un véhicule de transport de voyageurs ou de marchandises doit être en mesure de présenter à tout moment soit sa Carte de Qualification de Conducteur, soit l’attestation de la formation délivrée par un Centre de Formation Agréé.
Les formations initiales de conducteur routier (CAP, BEP, Titre professionnel, FIMO) donnent une qualification pour conduire un véhicule de transport de voyageurs ou de marchandises. Toutefois une formation continue obligatoire (FCO) doit être suivie tous les 5 ans. La Carte de Qualification de Conducteur atteste que son titulaire est à jour de ses obligations. Cette carte est donc délivrée pour une durée de validité de 5 ans.
Non. Seuls les Centres de Formation Agréés sont habilités à commander des Cartes de Qualification de Conducteur à ChronoServices.
Les Centres de Formation Agréés pour l’organisation de stages FIMO, de FCO ou pour la délivrance de Titre Professionnel ou de diplômes (CAP et Bac).
