Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Belgium

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Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Belgium

Anyone driving any type of motor vehicle on the roads in Belgium must have a valid driving licence (permis de conduire/rijbewijs). This licence must be carried on all journeys and must be presented to an official on demand.

Belgian law allows the following types of licence:

• a Belgian driving licence
• an EU/EEA driving licence
• a recognised foreign driving licence 
• a valid foreign driving licence represented by an international driving licence

Licence holders may only drive the category of vehicle for which their licence is valid. Some foreigners in Belgium must exchange their licence for a Belgian one, some may make the exchange if they wish, while yet others may not exchange their licence and will need to take a full driving test (theory and practical) in order to get a Belgian driving licence.

The European Driving Licence

The EU has worked to harmonise standards of the driving test and the appearance of the driving licence so that the licence issued in one country will be recognised by other member states. All driving licences issued since 1 January 1983 conform with the Community model, but they may be in paper or plastic form and can look quite different.

In March 2006, the Council of Ministers approved plans to create a single European driving licence to replace the 110 different models currently in existence throughout the EU. The plan is to phase out national licences between 2012 and 2032. Ultimately all new licences will have much shorter periods of validity (10 years is proposed).

People with EU-issued driver's licences who take up residence in Belgium are not required to exchange it for a Belgian licence. 

Belgian licence regulations apply to other EU licence used by resident of Belgium regarding:

• The period of validity of the licence
• Medical checks
• Minimum driver's age
• Penalties and restrictions, including suspension, withdrawal and cancellation of the licence

Licenses to drive a lorry or a bus (categories C and D) are renewable every five years under Belgian law and must be renewed five years after the driver registers in Belgium.

If a driving infraction occurs, Belgium may require the holder to obtain a new licence. An exchange becomes compulsory if the licence holder commits a driving offence - this is so that points can be subtracted.

The EU has set up an organisation specifically to share the information between member states with regard to driving licences. It is called RESPER (Réseau permis de conduire). This helps to ensure that citizens disqualified from driving in one country are not simply able to get a licence in a new member state.

• For comprehensive information from the European Commission: Click here

Exchanging a Driving Licence from the EU

A person holding an EEC issued licence may exchange it for a Belgian one, but it is not compulsory and is purely voluntary on the part of the licence holder. Even if it is not exchanged, it must be registered with the commune of residence as this makes replacement (in the event of theft, for example) much simpler. If it is lost or stolen, a Belgian one is issued as a replacement. 

Anyone wishing to exchange a licence must apply to their local authorities at the Town Hall (Maison Communale/Stadhuis). They need to provide:

• Current driving licence translated by a sworn translator
• Proof of residency
• Proof of address (recent utility bill, rental contract)
• Two passport-size photographs

The new Belgian licence will take a few weeks to process. At the time of the exchange, the Belgian authorities will issue a Community model licence of the corresponding category or categories. No theoretical or practical examination is required. Authorities must, however, check that the licence they are exchanging is valid.

Note: Despite the fact that valid EU licences need not be exchanged, national legislation in different EU countries may create a situation in which a licence becomes invalid. For example, holders of UK licences are required to inform their national vehicle authority, the DVLA, of any change in their address by filling in the appropriate form and posting it off with their licence. However, if the DVLA receives a foreign address it does not update the licence but rather posts off a document stating that the holder is entitled to a licence, which can then be used to get a Belgian licence.

Non-EU Driving Licences

Exchange agreements exist with certain countries and states (Australia, the United States and Canada), whereby a valid licence may be exchanged providing this is done within the first year of legal residency in Belgium. Enquire at the local Consulate or Embassy to find out about qualifying for an exchange.

Drivers holding licences issued by a non-EU member state without an exchange agreement with Belgium may legally drive on their licence for the first year of legal residency. After that their licence becomes invalid and must be surrendered to the local authorities. When the licence may not be exchanged, a full Belgian theory and practical driving exam must be passed and a Belgian licence will be issued.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page Getting a Driving Licence in Belgium 

Non-EU citizens should check the validity of their driving licence with their embassy before departure.

Further information on exchanging a driving licence is available from:

• Ministry of Communications - Driving Licence Department
  At: Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, 1040 Brussels
  Tel: 02 287 44 36 / 02 287 44 34
  Open: 09:00-16:00

Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and US citizens

Belgium has agreed to the mutual recognition of certain driving licences.

Australian driving licences can now be exchanged at the local authorities without taking a driving test. The Australian licence will be held by the authorities and may be retrieved on leaving Belgium permanently.

• Comprehensive information from the Australian Embassy in Belgium: Click here

People under the age of 18 with a valid US driver's license may not drive in Belgium until they are 18. After this may, the US license becomes valid. US driving licences do not need to be exchanged if staying less than 90 days in the country. Once a holder of a US-issued license becomes resident in Belgium the licence must be exchange at the local authorities in their place of residence. 

The following will be required:

• Current driving licence with a certificate of authenticity (available from the US Embassy or Consulate)
• Two passport photographs
• Proof of residency
• Information from the US Embassy in Brussels: Click here

The situation for holders of Canadian licences is currently under review, with some provinces having a driver's licence recognition agreement with Belgium while others do not.

• Information for Canadian citizens: Click here

Residents of Belgium with a New Zealand licence may exchange the "full" photograph driving licence for a category B Belgian driving licence. Contact the local authorities in the commune of residence.

Validity and Use of International Driving Licences

For holders of EU or EEA licences, an international driving licence does not offer any added value for driving within the EEA as it always has to be shown together with the Community model national driving licence.

Those from outside the EU may apply for an International Driving Licence in their country of origin. They may drive in Belgium with an international licence for one year, but must also carry their national driving licence. However, once officially resident in Belgium (that is, registered with the local commune) all non-EU drivers should obtain a Belgian driving licence.

Further Information

• The Ministry of Transport Service Public Fédéral Mobilité et Transports 
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Driving in Belgium 
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Getting a Belgian Driving Licence