Most Belgian drivers do not know that their driving license expires this year. You don't get a warning, so 426.000 drivers have to know that themselves. But after criticism, Minister Gilkinet has now released money to send letters around anyway.

The first European driving licenses were issued in Belgium in 2010 as a test. These licenses have been rolled out everywhere since 2013, but no one has replaced them since then. The driving license in the form of a bank card is now being replaced for the first time for many Belgians. The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) therefore approached the minister with the request to send out a warning after all.

Legally, it remains the driver who has to keep an eye on his driving license himself, but exceptionally, Minister Gilkinet and the FPS Mobility have now decided to send out warnings anyway. A private company will inform the drivers by issuing a tender.

Fines

The fines are high. Drivers who now drive around, usually unknowingly, with an expired driving license theoretically risk a fine of 1.600 to 16.000 euros and a driving license withdrawal of 8 days to 5 years. Those who obtained their driving license before 2013 still received a paper version. That driver's license remains valid permanently.