How to get a driver's license in Belgium

By Ms. Jessica Marie Ryan (IMCOM Europe)March 29, 2018

Driving in Europe
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CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- Arriving to a new country means getting the proper identification cards. One of the necessary ID cards is, of course, a driver's license. One must carry a valid European driver's license when driving in Belgium and other European countries, and getting one is a multi-step process for U.S. personnel.

U.S. personnel in Belgium should get a SHAPE driver's license to drive in Belgium in addition to a Belgian or international driver's license to drive in other countries in Europe. The Driver's Testing Station staff helps personnel stationed in Belgium, including SHAPE, Chièvres Air Base, Brussels and Zutendaal, with the process of getting those licenses.

GETTING A SHAPE DRIVER'S LICENSE (ALL U.S. PERSONNEL OVER AGE 18)

Before arriving to Belgium, U.S. personnel must have a valid stateside driver's license. The driving age in Belgium is 18 and older. People under age 18, even if they have a U.S. driver's license, are not allowed to drive in the country. U.S. personnel who moved from another European country and have a valid U.S. Army Europe, or USAREUR, driver's license (typically issued to personnel stationed in Germany) should hold onto it as they will still need to apply for the SHAPE driver's license.

After arriving to the country, all incoming personnel who are eligible to drive must go to the Driver's Testing Station in Bldg. 220, Room 104, on SHAPE. This is where they sign up for the mandatory class and receive study materials for the SHAPE driver's license. Classes are held Tuesdays starting at 8 a.m. It is required to sign up for the class ahead of time, since walk-ins are not allowed.

During the class, people learn about the driving rules and road signage in Belgium. Individuals with only a U.S. driver's license must then pass tests on the rules and signs.

According to Chantal Deprez, supervisory training specialist at the Driver's Testing Station, individuals with a valid USAREUR driver's license have to attend the class but do not take the tests.

Afterwards, people receive a certificate. They then take their certificate to the Registration Office (SHAPE Bldg. 210) where they are issued a SHAPE driver's license. Contrary to popular belief, the SHAPE driver's license is only valid in Belgium.

"The SHAPE driver's license is a transcription of your stateside license," said Deprez.

According to Deprez, people should still carry their U.S. driver's license along with their SHAPE driver's license at all times. If they are stopped by the police, they should show both licenses in order to avoid possible language barriers.

Since the SHAPE driver's license is only valid in Belgium, people who want to drive in other European countries must obtain either a Belgian driver's license or international driver's license. To clarify, the licenses are not the same so the names are not interchangeable.

GETTING A BELGIAN DRIVER'S LICENSE (BELGIAN PROTOCOL ID CARDHOLDERS)

Despite the name, the Belgian driver's license is valid in all countries in Europe. To get a Belgian driver's license, people must possess a Belgian Protocol ID in hand. During in-processing to Belgium, U.S. personnel, including family members and Department of Defense civilian employees, must apply for a protocol ID after they find a home in Belgium and have proof of residence, such as a rental lease. To apply for a Belgian protocol ID, people must go to the SHAPE Registration Office.

After receiving the Belgian protocol ID, people must return to the Driver's Testing Station. The station does not issue Belgian driver's licenses, but the staff will help with the application process.

"We explain the process, complete the application, make copies of the required documentation for the application, and give them the address to the city hall in their commune," said Deprez.

The required documentation includes a statement of residence (which can be procured from the SHAPE Federal Police in Bldg. 210), two European Union passport photos (3.5 centimeters by 4.5 centimeters in size), SHAPE ID, SHAPE driver's license and U.S. driver's license.

People can have their photo taken at the SHAPE Registration Office for a nominal fee.

Deprez added that her staff have application forms in French and Dutch as some people, especially those in Brussels and Zutendaal, reside in the Flanders region.

People should then go to the city hall in the commune they reside in with the application paperwork. People must be in the national registry, which is done when the Registration Office personnel submit the application for the Belgian protocol ID, in order to be issued a Belgian's driver's license. It may take time for people's names to appear in the registry. It is recommended to wait a few weeks after getting the Belgian protocol ID to visit city hall and submit the paperwork.

Each commune has a different fee for the Belgian driver's license. The expiration date for the license depends on the commune. Some communes issue a driver's license valid for 10 years while others may issue the license valid for the person's date estimated return from overseas, or DEROS, listed on their SHAPE ID, according to Deprez. Depending on the commune, a card may be issued the same day or a person may pick up the card at a later date.

GETTING AN INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE (NON-BELGIAN PROTOCOL ID CARDHOLDERS)

Since the Belgian protocol ID is required for the Belgian driver's license, people who do not have a protocol ID, such as active-duty service members living in the barracks, can apply for an international driver's license. This option does not apply to family members and DOD civilian employees.

"U.S. active-duty service members can apply for an international's driver's license, because we have an agreement with Mons. That means that they have to apply for the license in the city hall in Mons," said Deprez.

Similar to the Belgian driver's license, people will first get their SHAPE driver's license and then go to the Driver's Testing Station afterwards. The staff will help individuals with completing the paperwork and ensuring they have the necessary documentation. People then go the city hall in Mons and submit the application and pay a fee. The driver's license is also valid for all countries in Europe, but is only valid for three years. If one's tour extends beyond the expiration date, they can renew the license.

INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS

Prior to moving to Belgium from the U.S., people can, but are not required to, get an international driving permit. The permit allows drivers age 18 and over with a valid U.S. driver's license to legally drive abroad. The permit is only up to one year. Currently, two entities, the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), offer valid permits. More information can be found on their websites.

These permits do not replace U.S. driver's license, the SHAPE driver's license, Belgian driver's license and international driver's license. People on PCS orders still need to apply for the required driver's licenses in Belgium, and the IDP is not a substitute. The permit is intended for people who are on a short-term stay in a country, such as going on vacation or business travel, not for those living in the country.

STATESIDE DRIVER'S LICENSES

While living abroad, U.S. personnel must have a valid U.S. driver's license. If the license expires during their tour, people should renew it before the expiration date. Each state has different rules and requirements on license renewal for U.S. citizens living abroad. People should check their state's official vehicle department, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, for more information on the application process.

For more information about SHAPE, Belgian or international driver's licenses, call the Driver's Testing Station (SHAPE Bldg. 220) at DSN 366-6603 or +32 (0)6532-6603.

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