Reference for a preliminary ruling from the Amtsgericht Münster (Germany) lodged on 1 August 2011 — Criminal proceedings against Thomas Karl-Heinz Kerkhoff

(Case C-408/11)

2011/C 311/34

Language of the case: German

Referring court

Amtsgericht Münster (Germany)

Parties to the main proceedings

Thomas Karl-Heinz Kerkhoff

Staatsanwaltschaft Münster

Question referred

Is Article 11(4) of Directive 2006/126/EC (1) to be interpreted as meaning that a Member State is entitled to refuse, on a long-term basis, to recognise a driving licence issued by another Member State, if the holder previously had his driving licence withdrawn on the territory of the first Member State, without a separate period of suspension before a new licence is issued having been imposed or a period of suspension imposed having expired?

(1)  Directive 2006/126/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on driving licences (Recast); OJ 2006 L 403, p. 18.