Since its establishment in Belgium at the dawn of the 20th century, the driving license has constantly evolved, adapting to technological, societal, and legislative changes. Initially, this key to driving was a simple formality, but with the increase in traffic and the growing awareness of road safety issues, the process of obtaining it has gradually become more complex. From a simple paper certifying the ability to maneuver a vehicle, the driving license has become an official, secure, and computerized document, reflecting a series of successfully completed theoretical and practical exams, with well-defined steps for aspiring drivers.
The origins of the driving license in Belgium
The history of the driving license in Belgium is rooted in a past where the automobile, this revolutionary invention, was just beginning to traverse the cobbled roads of Europe. Back to the sources: Carl Benz, the father of the modern automobile, was the first to receive a driving license in the world in 1888. Shortly after, in 1891, Léon Serpollet, a pioneer of the steam vehicle, successfully passed what can be considered the first driving test on a tricycle of his design. These early milestones, anecdotal yet symbolic, lay the foundations for what will become a regulated process to obtain a driving license in Belgium.
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In Belgium, the administrative right granting permission to drive certain motorized vehicles was only established in 1967, long after the first individual advancements. However, the internationalization of driving and motorized vehicles required standardization of documents. In this regard, the Geneva Convention in 1949 marked a decisive turning point by defining the format of the driving license, adopted by Belgium, which then became the famous ‘pink license’.
This period is also marked by memorable figures, such as the Duchess of Uzès, the first woman in France to obtain the capacity certificate in April 1898 and, ironically, also the recipient of the first speeding ticket. These anecdotes illustrate the emergence of automobile traffic regulation and foreshadow the administrative and regulatory structures that will frame the process of obtaining the Belgian driving license.
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The regulatory evolution and reforms of the Belgian driving license
The dawn of January 1, 1969, marks a fundamental step for driving in Belgium with the introduction of the theoretical exam mandatory for all candidates wishing to obtain their license. This innovation aims to instill the fundamentals of the highway code, an essential element for road safety. The following decade sees the addition of the practical exam in 1977, a concrete test certifying the driving skills of aspiring motorists.
At the same time, Belgium aligns itself with international directives, notably with the Vienna Convention of 1968, which clarifies the categories of vehicles requiring a driving license. This regulation distinguishes vehicles based on their type and use, from motorcycles to buses, and contributes to better organization of road traffic.
The following years witness a continuous strengthening of measures for the safety of users. The technological improvement of vehicles, including seat belts, airbags, ABS braking systems, and crumple zones, significantly contributes to the reduction of fatalities on the roads. These advancements, combined with stricter regulations, are reflected in the statistics: while in 1969 there were 1,000 annual deaths, the latest census reports 600 deaths last year.
Observe the exponential growth of the vehicle fleet: the number of cars on the road has tripled compared to 1969. In the face of this increase, reforms of the driving license multiply to adapt driver training to the realities of the road. The reforms of the Belgian driving license thus reflect a constant commitment to road safety while accompanying societal and technological developments.