What to do you when your driving licence expires when you live abroad, that’s the question in this edition of Utalk and it comes from Claudia in Amsterdam: “I’m Italian but I live in the Netherlands. Can I request a new driving licence in the Netherlands, since my Italian one is about to expire?”<br /><br />The response comes from Ana Blázquez Díaz, Senior Communication Officer, Europe Direct: “Yes. Since January 2013, a harmonised EU driving licence model is issued in all EU Member<br />States. If your driving licence is about to expire, or if you lose it or have it stolen, you need to apply<br />for a new one in the country (of residence) where you’re currently living. <br /><br />“Only the authorities of your current country of residence can issue you a new driving licence. In your case, it’s the Netherlands.<br />You will then be subject to the same rules as nationals of that country on medical checks, validity periods, medical checks, and so on.<br /><br />“When you move to another EU Member State, in principle, you do not need to exchange your driving licence for a local one since all driving licences are recognised within the EU. You do not need to retake your driving licence tests as you will keep all your driving entitlements. <br /><br />“You can drive in the EU with your current licence as long as it remains valid.<br />However, if you are hold a driving licence for life and have established your residence in another EU country, the member state of your normal residence <br />may require you to exchange your licence for a local one after two years. You will then be subject to the same rules as nationals of that country regarding validity periods, medical checks and so on.”<br /><br />For more information about the EU, call 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11 or check out the website: europa.eu/youreurope <br /><br />And if you would also like to ask a question on Utalk, click on the button below.
