Okay, so, I’ve been wanting to get my Belgian driving license for a while now. I finally decided to just go for it and get it done. Here’s how it all went down.
First off, I found out that since I had a non-EU license, I could only drive for 185 days after registering in Belgium. Bummer, I was already past that point. So, no shortcuts for me, I had to go through the whole shebang. I knew I needed to do some driving training while holding a provisional license, the hours depend.
I did some digging around to figure out the whole process. You basically need to sign up, get your documents in order, and all that jazz. Honestly, it felt a bit overwhelming at first. The official websites were not exactly user-friendly, you know? They had all this information, but it was kind of hard to piece it all together.
The first real step was making an appointment. I went straight to the Population Department in my area. You can do it online, but I prefer dealing with people face-to-face, just feels more, I don’t know, reassuring? Anyway, I went in, told them I wanted to start the process for a driver’s license.
They gave me a bunch of forms to fill out, and told me about the required documents, like passport photos, proof of residency, and all that stuff. Make sure your photos are recent and follow their guidelines, or they will send you back. I had to run around a bit to gather everything, but eventually, I had all my ducks in a row.
Once I had all the documents, I went back to the Population Department and submitted my application. They checked everything, made sure it was complete, and then they told me to wait. Apparently, it takes a few weeks to process everything.
A few weeks later, I got a letter in the mail saying my application was approved! I had to go back to the office to pick up my provisional license. Now, here’s where the fun starts. I had to find a driving instructor and start practicing. I won’t lie, it wasn’t easy. Driving in a new country, with different rules and signs, took some getting used to.
After many, many hours of practice, and some very patient instructors, I felt ready for the practical exam. I booked the exam, paid the fee, and showed up on the day, nervous as hell. The exam was tough, but I remembered all of the rules and everything that the instructor taught me.
And guess what? I passed! I was so relieved and happy. I went back to the Population Department one last time, submitted my passing certificate, and waited. Finally, after what seemed like forever, I got my official Belgian driver’s license in the mail!
My Two Cents
- Start early: The whole process takes time, so don’t wait until the last minute.
- Get your documents in order: Make sure you have everything they ask for before you even start.
- Practice, practice, practice: Don’t underestimate the importance of driving lessons.
- Stay calm during the exam: Easier said than done, but it really helps!
It was a long and sometimes frustrating journey, but I finally have my Belgian driving license. It feels good to be able to drive legally here. If I can do it, you can too!
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