Belgium was a pioneer for the European driving license in card format in 2010 for a pilot project. In 2013, the cards were rolled out across Europe. However, ten years have passed and 426,341 licenses are now outdated in Belgium, with drivers risking a fine and license suspension, Het Nieuwsblad reports.
The biggest difference between the older paper version of the license card is that the new version must be updated every ten years. However, Belgians have until now not been notified of the need to update their cards.
Those found with an outdated one risk a fine of up to €16,000 and a withdrawal of their license for up to five years.
"It is and remains the responsibility of every driver to have a valid driving license," the office of Georges Gilkinet, Federal Minister of Mobility, told Het Nieuwsblad.
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However, after criticism about the decision not to notify drivers with an outdated card, Minister Gilkinet and the FPS Mobility have now decided to find the funds to send out warnings to those needing to renew their card.
"The tender has been issued and is almost completed. A private firm will notify the drivers. My initiative to systematically send reminders to drivers whose driving licenses have expired is intended to make life easier. Both for the drivers themselves, and for the municipalities. We want to unburden them both," Minister Gilkinet said.
