Belgium to introduce points system on driving licences

The federal government will introduce a penalty points system on driving licenses in Belgium during the current legislature, justice minister Vincent Van Quickenborne has announced.

It is not a question of punishing small offences more heavily, the minister said, but of tackling repeat offenders. "We will work towards a structural approach to persistent reoffending, we will ensure stricter enforcement of the rules, and we will implement new technologies," Van Quickenborne said. "The points-based driving licence law forms the basis of this."

The government hopes the system will specifically reduce offences such as drinking and driving, speeding, and dangerous driving.

Mobility minister Georges Gilkinet is due to present his report on the proposal on 24 November.