Translating a Foreign Driving Licence in Mons: SHAPE/NATO Staff and Residents

Living in Mons as SHAPE/NATO personnel, a cross-border commuter from France, or a holder of a foreign driving licence wishing to drive legally in Belgium or exchange your licence? The procedure goes through the City of Mons and the DIV. This guide details the specifics of Mons, particularly for military licences and cross-border workers.

See also: driving licence translation in Belgium · translation agency in Mons

Mons: SHAPE, NATO and international residents

Mons is home to SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe), which employs several thousand military personnel and civilians from more than 30 NATO member countries. These personnel, on constant rotation, arrive with driving licences issued by their respective countries - the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Central and Eastern European countries.

Mons is also a border city with France (Valenciennes is just 25 km away), generating a significant flow of Franco-Belgian cross-border workers who keep their French licence while residing in Belgium. French residents in Belgium do not need to exchange their EU licence, but those coming from non-EU countries must follow the exchange procedure.

Exchange procedure in Mons: practical steps

• 1. Identify your situation: SHAPE personnel with NATO status, civilian foreign resident, or Franco-Belgian cross-border commuter. NATO status sometimes provides certain facilities - check with the SHAPE legal department.
• 2. Check your country's eligibility: consult mobilit.belgium.be. NATO non-EU countries (USA, Canada, Turkey, etc.) are generally on the DIV list.
• 3. Have your licence translated: if your licence is in English, a translation is not always required in Mons (a French-speaking city), but if special entries are unclear a sworn translation into French is recommended.
• 4. Submit the file to the City of Mons: Population Department, Grand Place 22. The file is forwarded to the DIV for issuance of the Belgian licence in 4 to 6 weeks.

Special feature: SHAPE military licences and NATO status

Military and civilian personnel posted to SHAPE benefit from NATO status which may, in certain cases, allow them to continue driving with their national licence for the entire duration of their mission, without going through the standard DIV exchange procedure. This status is governed by the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

However, for family members of SHAPE personnel (spouses, adult children) who do not benefit from NATO status and register with the municipal register of Mons, the standard exchange procedure applies with a sworn translation if necessary.