Each municipality has its own first step
The exchange is handled by the municipality where you are registered, and each office has its own first step: an assessment visit, your licence details sent in first, or an online application. It also pays to ask the desk what it expects of a sworn translation before you order one.
Bruges
Frank Van Ackerpromenade 2, 8000 Bruges
Book the European or non-European exchange appointment that matches your licence, and attend in person.
Bring your valid original licence and identity or residence document; the European checklist also requires a recent compliant photograph. Ask the office which additional evidence applies to your licence. Plan transport for any period when your licence is retained.
Guides
Related services
For people who cannot cover rent, food or other essentials: what the local social welfare centre can arrange and how to ask for an appointment.
A paper or digital certificate showing where you are registered, with versions for address history or household. Find the municipal office that issues it.
Reset an eID PIN, replace activation codes or set up a digital key for online services. Useful for residents, residence card holders and some non-residents.
The eID for teenagers and adults and the Kids-ID for children. See how applying works and find the municipal office that handles your card.
For anyone who has moved house in Belgium. See who reports, what happens after the address check and which office handles it in your new town.
Learn whether you need an extract or a full copy, who can request it and how to reach the civil registry office in your municipality.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Tilburg, The Hague, and 's-Hertogenbosch
Most offices in Warsaw, Wrocław, and Gdańsk
Most offices in Augsburg, Berlin, and Bielefeld
Most offices in A Coruña, Alicante, and Almería
Most offices in Akranes, Akureyri, and Borgarnes
Where to next
Where your licence was issued decides whether it is registered, exchanged or checked more closely, and your municipal driving licence desk takes care of the first steps.
Jump straight to another part of the manual.