How the fitness-to-drive assessment programme works

The court has decided that you must undergo a fitness-to-drive assessment.  This is the programme you must complete in order to regain your driving licence.

Step 1 - Choosing an accredited institution

The prosecutor’s office will provide a list of accredited institutions that are authorised to conduct fitness-to-drive assessments. You have one month to inform the prosecutor’s office of your chosen institution. If you fail to do so, the prosecutor’s office will make that choice for you, but this will delay the process. You may also communicate your choice sooner via the court registry.

Step 2 - Registering with Vias institute

The prosecutor’s office informs us that you have opted for Vias Institute. We will then contact you by post, requesting that you complete your details online so we can send you a payment form.

In exceptional cases the candidate is required to contact us personally in order to initiate the registration procedure.

Step 3 - Payment and appointment

An appointment date is proposed upon receipt of your payment. Feel free to contact our colleagues by telephone if the proposed date doesn’t suit you. All appointments are confirmed by email by default.

Appointments can be changed up to 2 days before the scheduled date. 

Step 4 - Assessment day

All fitness-to-drive assessments take place on the same day and at the same location. The medical assessment is carried out by a physician and the psychological assessment by a psychologist. Please arrive fit and well rested.

If you fail to attend without notifying us in time, you will be required to pay for both the missed and the new appointment.  Please allow at least four hours for the examinations.

Here are a few tips

  • Make sure that you are well rested. It is important to get a good night’s sleep. Ideally, you should sleep at least 8 hours the night before your appointment. 
  • Don’t forget your identity card. This may seem obvious but we would still like to point out that taking a fitness-to-drive assessment is not possible without your identity card. 
  • Leave in good time. Do not let our busy roads surprise you. Leave well in advance and be sure to arrive on time.   

Step 5 – Assessment outcome and next steps

Following the assessments, the doctor and the psychologist will review your file.

Our doctor may request additional analyses, such as blood and urine tests, or an additional opinion from a medical specialist. It is advisable to have these additional analyses carried out as soon as possible. Once we have received the results, which may take 10 to 14 days, the doctor and the psychologist will take their decision.

The psychologist and/or doctor can issue 3 possible decision:

  • Fit: after your driving ban, you may collect your driving licence from the court registry.  
    You will receive the necessary documents immediately.
  • Fit subject to a time limitation or code: you are allowed to drive under specific conditions and restrictions. The municipal authorities will add the relevant codes to your driving licence.
  • Unfit: your driving licence is not returned for the time being. After at least six months, you may retake the fitness-to-drive assessments.

This decision is forwarded by email to you, the prosecutor’s office and the court registry. You will also receive this recommendation by post, together with a clear motivation.

Step 6 – A new assessment following a negative desicion

Six months after a negative decision, you may undergo new fitness-to-drive assessments. You can contact Vias Institute again three weeks before the end of your driving ban.

A new assessment following a decision subject to conditions (restriction) is possible. Contact Vias Institute again three weeks before the restriction expires.