Drivers licence ??'s South Australia/Belgium

[Pazcat]

Hey all.

I have a couple of questions about trying to renew my South Australian license and to convert it to a Belgian/European one. It would be great if anybody can help me with this.

Firstly the South Australian one, now i have an e_mail saying i can send away for a kit to renew it but only if i am 'temporarily residing overseas for a period not greater than 12 months'. Not at any point does it mention those who have been overseas for a longer period.
Can i still renew my license if i have been away longer than 12 months? Is it a problem. My license is not expired at this date if that helps.
I mean i go back once a yearish i still need to drive when i am home.

And secondly the Belgian one, i haven't looked into to that yet but i will need to very soon, any tips on how to go about that?

Anyway thanks in advance, i know this is my first post but this looks like a nice community, i think i might have to stick around.

[kaz101]

Hi Pazcat,

You may want to ask this in the rest of the world forum too since most people in the Aussie forum are moving into Australia and not out of it. However I'll leave this here in case someone knows the answer. I've not had to renew my South Australian licence since moving here in 2007 so I can't help.

Have you tried contacting them?

I have no idea about Belgian licences at all.

Regards,
Karen

[Pazcat]

Hi Karen,

Thanks for replying, i did have the thread in the Rest of the World Forum before but it was moved, i don't mind where it goes really.

Yeah i contacted them asking how to renew my licence and they sent back an e-mail with who to contact but it there was no option for somebody who has been away over 12 months. I was a bit concerned that i might have to resit the test when i get back or something. But you are right its best i ask i think.

It turns out for a Belgian licence i can take my Australian one to a local commune and exchange it for a Belgian one, but they keep my Ozzie one until i permanently move back. So i have no Australian licence for when i go back on holidays. Or any card ID for that matter. Plus there is something about handing it in to the commune in the first 12 months here with no mention of what to do if i stay longer. If i knew these things 6 months ago everything would of been easier.

Its all very confusing.

[James3214]

Pazcat, you can drive for up to a year on your Oz licence in Belgium, after that you just exchange it at your commune for a Belgium one, but it has to be readable and valid. You can use your Belgium licence when you go back to Oz for holidays.