Belgium - Convert or Exchange Foreign Driver License

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Procedure

1. Before you apply check first if you may exchange your license by visiting the government website: mobilit.fgov.be
2. Submit an application for licence conversion in the municipality where you are registered.
3. Pay the driving licence fee which cost around 20 euros. Note: Apart from the driving licence fee, the issuing municipality may ask applicants to pay a surcharge.
4. You will be given a temporary licence while your application for a Belgian driving licence is being processed. It may take about 2 weeks to process your application.

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Required Documents

List down the documents required for successfully completing the procedure.

e.g.
1. Proof of child birth from the Hospital.

Office Locations & Contacts

SPF Mobilit et Transports
City Atrium
Rue du Progrs 56
1210 Bruxelles

Information desk:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +32 (0)2 277 31 11

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to legally drive in Belgium, if you are 17 you will not be permitted to drive in Belgium, even if you can do so legally in your home country.

If you are driving a vehicle that belongs to someone else you must carry a letter of authorisation from the owner giving you permission to drive.

All cars in Belgium must carry a warning triangle to be used in case of a breakdown.

Fees

Driving Licence Fee: 20 euros

Apart from the driving licence fee, the issuing municipality may ask applicants to pay a surcharge.

Validity

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e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

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Sample Documents

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Processing Time

When you exchange your license, you will be given a temporary licence while your application for a Belgian driving licence is being processed. It may take about 2 weeks to process your application.

Related Videos

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications. 
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e.g In the following url "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M" Video ID is "Y0US7oR_t3M". 
	

Instructions

The conversion of your licence will depend on how long you will stay in Belgium and where was the licence issued, you may not need to exchange your foreign licence at all, or otherwise, it is easy process to exchange your foreign driver's licence for a Belgian driver's licence.

Certain nationalities, however, will have to pass a Belgian theory and driving test before they can receive their Belgian driver's licence.

EEA countries:

Holders of licences issued in countries from within the European Economic Area (EU plus Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein) are not required to exchange their drivers licence.

In case holders lost or had their foreign licence stolen, they may apply for a local licence from the Driving Licence Department of the local town hall. A licence issued from an EEA country will be replaced with a Belgian driving licence for those who have taken up residency. It is also possible to exchange an EEA licence for a Belgian equivalent.

Non-EEA countries:

It is possible to exchange a driver's licence issued from a non-EEA country for a Belgian Driver's Licence, but the holder must be registered within a municipality.

Depending on where the licence was issued, its holder may need to pass the driving examination comprising a theory and practical test. The Examination Centre (SBAT) can arrange English versions of the theory exam, although it is recommended to book well in advance. To check if you may exchange your license you may visit the government website: mobilit.fgov.be

Non-EEA residents who holds a licence issued abroad may drive in Belgium for one year, after that they will need to pass a Belgian driving test. However, when driving in Belgium, the person must carry their licence at all times, together with the International Driving Permit (IDP), which contains a translation of the licence.

Additional information on registering for an international driving licence or exchanging a licence can be found in the Town Hall (Maison Communale/Stadhuis) of most towns. A Belgian driving licence or one from an EU country will be needed along with passport photograph, proof of ID and money to cover the fee of the applications. An international driving licence has a lifetime of three years.

Required Information

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e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the Document

If you are a holder of a driver's licence issued outside Belgium, you may have it converted or exchanged for a Belgian Driver's Licence.

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

External Links

http://www.mobilit.belgium.be/fr/circulationroutiere/permisdeconduire/etrangers/noneuropeens/

Others

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