Question to general practitioner Maarten: Health statement from doctor for renewal of driver's license
Maarten Vasbinder lives in Isaan. His profession is general practitioner, a profession that he mainly practiced in Spain. On Thailandblog he answers questions from readers who live in Thailand and writes about medical facts.
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Dear Martin,
I have been living in Thailand for 12 years, I am 77 years old, Dutch and have never been back to the Netherlands in those 12 years. I have always had my Dutch driving license extended with a family address in the Netherlands for RDW shipments. My driver's license expires next year and the renewal is different now, given my age.
I need to be examined in advance by a contact doctor in the Netherlands, but that is difficult if you live permanently in Thailand. I contacted the RDW who referred me to the CBR and presented them with the problem. This body reported to me (see quote):
Start quote
Can I see a doctor abroad? If you need to see a doctor with your Health Declaration, you can go to a doctor abroad if he has a Dutch BIG registration (see www.bigregister.nl). Most doctors abroad do not have this.
If you are staying abroad for a long period of time and cannot visit a doctor with a Dutch BIG registration, unfortunately no Statement of Fitness will be issued. In this case you can only apply for this in the Netherlands.
End quote.
My question to you Dr. Maarten is whether you have this BIG registration and if this is not the case, do you perhaps know another Dutch doctor by name who does have this BIG registration?
I know that I can drive in the Netherlands with a Thai driver's license if you have an International driver's license (how do you get one again?), but an additional major problem is that you cannot book/rent a car in advance with this Thai driver's license with your Dutch credit card according to the rental company/ANWB at Schiphol. In this case, the main driver must have a Dutch driving licence.
I hope you dr. Maarten or perhaps other readers know a Dutch doctor in Thailand who has this BIG registration.
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Hans
*****
Dear h,
Coincidentally, my BIG registration has just been extended for 5 years.
Please contact the embassy/consular service first. They might know someone who works here. You can apply for an international driving license at the same institute that issues the Thai driving licence.
Sincerely,
Martin Vasbinder
When I rented a car at Schiphol Airport (Europcar) this April, I asked if I could also do this with my normal Thai driver's license. This was possible if I also had an international Thai driver's license. How else would all those foreigners get a rental car?
My Dutch driver's license was still valid.
You may use your Thai driving license during holiday in the Netherlands (without an international driving licence, see rdw website). I have also never had any problems booking a rental car in Schiphol with only a Thai driver's license.
When I make my annual trip to the Netherlands, I rent a car in advance at BB&L at Schiphol.
I have let my NL driver's license expire and therefore only have a Thai driver's license. This rental company has never objected and will give the car as long as I show a valid credit card
Dear Hans, it must be just me, but you haven't been to the Netherlands for 12 years. For whatever reason, you have always had your Dutch driving license renewed. I ask myself why? To the best of my knowledge, you can revalidate an expired Dutch driving license at any time, it will remain your driving licence. Given your age, you do indeed have to go through the medical circuit. Costly affair I expect, with the risk of a medical rejection.
If you want to settle permanently in the Netherlands again, it may be worth it, but if you are not actually going back to the Netherlands, why would you??? than want to take on all those costs and effort just to have a valid Dutch driver's license.
Dear Dirk,
Indeed, it's up to you. A European driving license is a government license that entitles you to drive a vehicle that is stated on the driving licence. A credit card sized card will be provided as proof of license. On the right side of the front of the card it is printed transversely (vertically) “Rijksproperty. Unauthorized changes make this certificate invalid © Staat der Nederlanden. Copyright reserved. Model number…..”
The government determines by law how long the driver's license can be legally used as proof of competence. Just like a passport. Previously, if the driver's license had expired for more than five years, you had to take the exam again. That has changed. Now it is the case that if the driver's license has expired before July 1, 1985, the exam must be taken again.
So “To the best of my knowledge, you can revalidate an expired Dutch driving license at any time, it will remain your driving licence.” is nonsense. The proof of license (driver's license) is owned by the state. That determines the validity.
What do you want with a Ned. driver's license if you live permanently in Thailand and never stay in the Netherlands?
Dear Hans, I think you have been misinformed about car rental at Schiphol. It is very unlikely that a foreigner with a foreign driver's license cannot rent a car there: I think it is intended for that!
The situation is different with age. At Avis, for example, one of the conditions is that the renter must not be older than 70 years old.
That is then age discrimination at AVIS ...... health statement takes effect at the age of 75.
The story that with a Thai driver's license you must have an international driver's license is not true.
On a Thai driver's license, all data is in English. The international driving license is required for countries with a different script. This is not a driver's license but only a translation of your Thai driver's license.
The Thai driver's license is accepted by all rental companies at Schiphol. Just have it for three days.
.reused for rental car at Schiphol.
Recommend that if you continue to live in Thailand, just let that Dutch driving license expire. Much cheaper.
If the ball employee is hesitant, ask him to read his own instructions carefully.