Is the CQC a separate licence or a code on the driving licence?

The CQC may be indicated on the driving licence using the EU code 95 or issued on a dedicated card, depending on the procedure followed. Check that the type of qualification is specified and that the validity period is current.

A qualification that complements the driving licence

The Driver Qualification Card is a professional qualification linked to transport activities, not a driving licence category. To drive a lorry, bus or other vehicle, you need a driving licence in the appropriate category and, where required by law, a valid Driver Qualification Card (DQC) for the type of transport. Holding a DQC does not authorise you to drive a vehicle for which you do not hold a driving licence; holding a Category C or D driving licence does not, in itself, prove that you possess a valid professional qualification.

There are qualifications for the carriage of goods and for the carriage of passengers. The category and type of CQC must correspond to the service provided. If you drive a bus professionally, a CQC for goods does not fulfil the requirement for passengers; conversely, a CQC for passengers does not authorise the professional carriage of goods by lorry. Specific conditions and any exemptions must be verified in accordance with current regulations.

As regards the physical document, the CQC may be linked to the driving licence by means of an annotation of the appropriate EU code, and in certain situations a document may be issued in accordance with ministerial procedures. Do not infer validity from the colour or appearance of the card: check that the title and expiry date are correct in the records and on the documents issued. If you have any doubts regarding renewal or replacement, consult the Motorist’s Portal or the Motor Vehicle Registration Authority.

Do not confuse code 95 with a driving licence category: it indicates the professional qualification and its expiry date. If the document does not show the CQC, check your file on the Portal or ask the Motorisation Authority how to obtain the certificate; do not commence professional transport operations unless you can prove you hold a valid qualification.

• Driving licence: authorises the holder to drive a specific category of vehicle.
• CQC: additional professional qualification, distinct from the driving licence.
• The CQC for goods and the CQC for passengers relate to different activities.
• Check the category, code and validity in up-to-date official documents.

What to do if the document is missing or has expired

If you cannot find the CQC on the document, do not automatically assume that it does not exist or that the driving licence is sufficient. Obtain the certificate of achievement and ask the relevant office how to verify the entry or obtain the correct document. If the qualification has expired, check the requirements for periodic training and the renewal procedure before carrying out any professional work.

When you start a new job, inform your employer of the driving licence categories and qualifications you hold, and ask that the role complies with the validity periods and type of CQC. Keep secure copies of your documents, without sharing personal data publicly.

For the theoretical study of the categories,Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers chapters, timed quizzes and a review of incorrect answers; the status and renewal of the CQC are handled through ministerial channels.