Today I collected my Dutch drivers licence. After doing all the paperwork to get the required permissions, filling out the health declaration forms and making an online appointment, I finally managed to exchange my South African drivers licence with a Dutch one.
Why bother, you ask?
Well, it seems that after 6 months of living in the Netherlands, it becomes illegal to drive here with my old South African license. For the record, if I went to Germany or Belgium I would be allowed to drive there. Odd, I know,but it’s one of those things.
I had an appointment to deal with this rigmarole, but because of the coronavirus they didn’t handle anything that wasn’t emergency applications back then.
Luckily things opened up a bit and I was allowed to go do the paperwork and finally got the notification that it was ready to collect.
Funny fact: I’m also legally allowed to drive a tractor on a public road. I have no idea why, or how to drive one, but there you have it. I think I’ll stick to cars for now.
Be kind. Stay safe.
mcharlottesmith 