Driving without a driver's license
One of the most serious traffic offences
Driving without a licence is considered in Belgium to be a serious fourth-degree traffic offence.
The law sees this as a direct threat to road safety.
Whether you never obtained a licence, your licence was revoked, or you are still in your probationary period, the consequences are severe and often unavoidable.
When are you in violation?
You commit an offence when you:
have never obtained a driving licence for the vehicle you are operating
drive while your licence is revoked, suspended or expired
drive with a foreign licence that is not valid in Belgium
as a young driver, violate the rules of your provisional licence (e.g. driving without a supervisor or outside permitted hours)
Possible penalties
Fine between €1,600 and €16,000 (after surcharges)
Driving ban from 8 days to 5 years, or permanent revocation in serious cases
Prison sentence from 8 days to 2 years in case of repeat offence or aggravating circumstances
Re-examinations or psychological assessments may be imposed
The police judge decides based on the circumstances, your history and the risk to road safety.
What can a lawyer do?
A specialised lawyer can:
check whether the summons and findings are legally valid
argue mitigating circumstances or request a suspended sentence
help avoid a criminal record
negotiate a conditional sentence or reduce the duration of the driving ban
Contact us for a free first consultation: we review your file and help you reduce the consequences.
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