From 2010, new drivers in Belgium will receive a European driving licence. At first it was still a European pilot project, but since 2013 every European who has obtained or replaced his driving license receives such a European copy. The big difference with the former paper version – besides the appearance that looks more like a bank card – is the obligation to renew the driving license every ten years.
The big problem: as a motorist you do not receive a warning for this, as is the case for the renewal of your identity card. “It is the responsibility of every driver to have a valid driver’s license,” emphasized the Federal Public Service Mobility.
Criticism
Many drivers therefore only found out during an accidental police check that they were driving around with an expired driver’s license. Inadmissible, thought the Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG), which asked the minister to warn drivers when their driving license is regarding to expire. This year there are 426,341 drivers in our country.
Minister Gilkinet and the FPS Mobility have now jointly decided to inform the drivers in question. To this end, the minister issued a tender to which private companies might subscribe to take on the notification procedure.
“The initiative is aimed at systematically sending reminders to drivers whose driving license has expired, with the aim of making their lives easier,” the minister said in a response. “We unburden both the drivers in question and the municipalities.”
Anyone who receives such a warning letter only has to go to the town hall to collect a new card. The application is now completely online.
Control and fines
Anyone who today – consciously or unconsciously – drives around with an expired driving license, in principle risks a fine of 1,600 to 16,000 euros and/or the withdrawal of his driving license from eight days to a maximum of five years. Although in practice the soup was often not eaten as hot as it was served. Because it was often an administrative shortcoming, the drivers usually got off with a warning.
Whether the sending of the warnings will change anything, the cabinet of the minister cannot say anything regarding that. “We are not competent for enforcement and therefore cannot comment on the choice of police services to issue warnings or not,” said spokesman Thomas De Spiegelaere.
The cabinet emphasizes that no additional checks will follow now that every driver should be aware of the expired driving licence. “A proactive check is not envisaged, because the extension is of course not mandatory. For example, you can perfectly choose not to use your driving license anymore, such as in the event of illness or emigration.
Paper version
Drivers who obtained their driving license before 2013 still drive around with a paper copy today. “Nothing will change for those drivers for the time being. The full switchover must take place by 2033, but the exact procedure for this is not yet known,” said the spokesperson. In principle, the paper driving license remains valid permanently.
It has already been said that drivers with a paper driving license will gradually receive an invitation to replace their driving license in the coming years. In this way, the FPS Mobility wants to avoid a rush on the European driving license in 2032.
