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General information

To drive a car in Belgium, you must have a valid International or Belgian driving licence. If you are recognised as a refugee or asylum and have already obtained a driving licence in your country of origin, you can use it to apply for a Belgian driving licence.

List of countries whose driving licences are recognised in Belgium can be found in following link: https://mobilit.belgium.be/nl/wegverkeer/rijbewijzen/buitenlandse_rijbewijzen/lijst_van_landen_buiten_de_europese_unie_europese 

Converting driving licence into Belgian version

You can apply to exchange your driving licence at the municipality where you are registered.

You must have your normal residence in Belgium, meaning that you have been registered for at least 185 days during the previous 12 months, before a Belgian driving licence can be issued. If you hold an eligible non-European driving licence, you may be able to start the procedure before this period has elapsed, but the Belgian licence will only be issued once the 185-day residence requirement has been met.

You will generally need to present the following documents to your municipality:

• your valid original driving licence that you wish to exchange;
• an official translation by a sworn translator if your driving licence is not written in French, Dutch or English;
• a recent passport photograph (some municipalities have a paid photo booth available);
• your residence permit or residence document (for example, an Annex 26 or a Belgian residence card).

The cost of issuing a Belgian driving licence includes a federal fee and a municipal administrative fee. The total amount varies depending on the municipality but is generally between €20 and €45.

The processing time varies depending on the municipality and on whether additional checks are required to verify your foreign driving licence. The procedure may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.

A new Belgian driving licence

If you do not have a driving licence or your driving licence is not recognised, you will have to obtain it in Belgium. To learn how to drive a car, you can choose between a free course with a provisional driving licence or a course at a driving school. In certain cases, training in a driving school is compulsory.

You need to take a theoretical exam in Dutch, in French or with the help of a sworn interpreter in German or English and a practical driving exam in an official examination centre. 

Tips for LGBTQIA+ individuals

• If you had to flee your country and have difficulties providing certain documents, explain your situation to the municipal administration.
• If your driving licence contains a name or gender marker that no longer corresponds to your identity, ask your social worker or a specialised LGBTQIA+ organisation for advice before submitting your application.
• Do not hesitate to ask your social worker whether your foreign driving licence can be exchanged in Belgium, as not all foreign driving licences are automatically recognised.