Australian Embassy and Mission to the European Communities
Belgium-Luxembourg
Embassy address: Rue Guimardstraat 6-8, 1040 Brussels - Telephone: +32 (0) 2 286 0500 - Fax: +32 (0) 2 231 07 88

Driving Licence Information

 

Driving licences: Information for Australians residing in Belgium

 
As of 1 September 2006, the Belgian government has agreed to the mutual recognition of Australian driving licences. As of this date, Australian residents in Belgium can now exchange their Australian licences for Belgian licences at their local Commune, without taking Belgian theoretical or practical driving exams.

Previously, despite Australian authorities having recognised Belgian licences for some years, Belgium did not recognise Australian driving licences, thereby obliging Australian residents of Belgium to pass theoretical and practical exams in order to obtain a Belgian driving permit to drive legally.

As of 1 September, all Communes in Belgium have been sent an instruction from the Belgian Federal Public Service of Transport and Mobility, advising of the new recognition of Australian licences.

As a result, Australians can approach the Commune where they are registered and request a Belgian licence. At their Commune, Australians would need to hand in their Australian licence.  Australian licences will be held at the Commune and can be retrieved when an Australian departs Belgium permanently for Australia.

As Australian state and territory licences (with the exception of Queensland) do not indicate a date from which each licence is valid, some Communes might request documentary evidence that the licence is valid. In that case, Australians could either present the letter or documentation from their licensing authority which accompanied their licence at the time of issue, or contact their relevant state or territory licensing authority to request documentary confirmation that their licence is valid. For a list of the responsible licensing authorities, please visit http://www.austroads.com.au/links_members.html

Australians will be able to have normal driving licences recognised. Heavy vehicle licences will also be recognised.

Important note: Belgian licences issued in this manner will be valid for temporary transit in other EU member states. But, where Australian residents in Belgium wish to leave Belgium and become resident in other EU member states, Belgian licences issued to Australians under this arrangement will not necessarily be recognised by other EU member states. Under EU rules, a member state has the right not to recognise a licence which has been issued by another member-state under a licence-exchange program. This may be the case in EU member states whose own licences are not recognised in Australia.

 

Australian licences

Australian drivers' licences are issued by state or territory licensing authorities. The Embassy cannot issue or renew Australian drivers' licences. In order to renew an Australian driver's licence, please contact the authority of your state or territory in Australia. There is provision for this to be done from overseas. Please check the following website: http://www.australia.gov.au/301  For a list of the responsible licensing authorities, please visit: http://www.austroads.com.au/links_members.html


International Driving Permits

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is proof that you hold a valid driver licence in your home country at the date of issue of the IDP and should be carried with your domestic driver licence. IDPs are issued through state and territory motoring clubs.
An IDP is a requirement for renting a vehicle in many countries.

IDP Authorities in Australia

To obtain an International Driving Permit, please contact the relevant IDP authority in your state:

You may also check the following website: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/int_driving_licence.html





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