How to Renew Your European Driving License: Guidelines, Requirements, and Consequences

2023-09-07 09:00:00

Since July 7, 2010, anyone who passes the driving test in our country receives a European driving licence, which looks like a plastic bank card and which must be renewed every ten years. On this “new license”, there is an electronic chip that includes all of your information but also your photo.

Read also Big change to the driving license: it will become compulsory very soon for millions of Belgians!

This photo, precisely, the authorities ask that it be “recent”. But what does that really mean? And what do you risk if you don’t? A fine of 50 euros… in the worst case!

If the age of the photo does not matter, as Het Laatste Nieuws reminds us, it must be similar. That there is a “recognizability”. This notion is quite subjective and you might find yourself debating with a police officer during a check. If you think that the photo of your driving license is no longer similar, it is therefore better to ask for a new one rather than having it imposed on you. It will cost you between 20 and 25 euros.

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Because if the police judge that the photo no longer looks like you, he can declare that your license is invalid and impose a fine of 50 euros. “But in general, we draw up a warning report. The person then has 15 days to comply and come and prove it to us, ”explains a police source. It is only from this moment, if the license has not been renewed, that the sanction falls.

The paper license is resisting

With a renewal every ten years, the risk of completely changing is minimal (an extra beard, glasses or shorter hair do not intervene in the judgment). But until 2033, the paper license remains valid in Europe. The photos are usually older and better to switch to card format to avoid unnecessary problems. Especially since an agent might impose a fine on you… out of ignorance. You will still be able to contest but you will lose energy unnecessarily.

Fine of up to 1,600 euros

Please note, as mentioned above, the European driving license must be renewed every ten years, just like identity cards. However, when this driving license expires, you do not automatically receive an invitation to go to the municipality to obtain a new one.

Those who drive without a valid driver’s license risk a fine of 1,600 to 16,000 euros, a driving ban of eight days to five years or a prison sentence of eight days to two years. If it is established during an accident that your driving license has expired, this also has important consequences for insurance companies.

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