The Belgian adventure continues

"KatzManDu" (KatzManDu) 11/03/2014 at 15:32 • Filed to: None

0

16

I know you're sick of every time I post it's blah-blah-blah Belgium... But, moving here from the US I'm learning a lot.

In the USA, when you go to purchase a car, you go to the dealer or someone from craigslist, test drive the car, make an offer, throw down some cash (or financing) and then drive away. It's simple, straight forward. You eventually register the car at the BMV/DMV (depending upon what your state calls it) and will pay fees for plates. Sometimes the dealership can order the plates for you and they show up at your house, or you transfer them from your old car to your new car.

But that's the USA and not Belgium. Everything in Belgium qualifies as fucked up.

Here, you find a car, test drive it, make an offer, sign a contract and put down a deposit. You then take the paperwork from the seller which includes an inspection report (CT locally, similar to MOT in the UK or TUV in Germany) and take the paper to your insurance agent. He/she then fills out the paperwork and sends it to the DIV. From there the insurance agent (or maybe sometimes you) will receive new plates (plaques) in 24-48 hours. Then you go back with the plaques and rest of your money and drive off.

Except, I'm an American "immigrant" in Belgium, driving on my USA (Indiana) driver's license. I can't find the "International Driving Permit" I purchased for $50 from AAA in the USA to prove my USA license is legal here. Admittedly, it's my fault (or my wife's) and is buried in a pile of papers somewhere around our apartment. But, without that paper I couldn't get insurance today, and without that insurance, I can't register the 2002 BMW 520d I already paid for. I'm checking with another insurance agency tomorrow that is more familiar with expats and should know that my USA license is valid here, and the insurance bill will hopefully be a little less, too.

Once I get that sorted, I can then (maybe) get myself a car. We probably don't really need two cars here, but it looks like there are times when we need two cars (I have to be at work, the wife has to take kids somewhere, I want to go out with friends, wife wants to go out with friends while I take kids places, etc.) Plus, if I can get a "beater" Porsche 924 or 944 I can go visit places like Spa (2 hours from my house) or Sarthe (4.5 hours) or Hockenheim (4.5 hours) or Nurburgring (3 hours) or Brands Hatch (3 hours) or Silverstone (5 hours.) And then I will get those little track decals for my rear window for each of those tracks which I will lap. And maybe a GoPro or similar to share the experience with all of you.

Here is a photo of a 944 for your time.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > KatzManDu 11/03/2014 at 15:38

1

If England and Germany start arguing again, I suggest you take a vacation to Spain.

duurtlang > KatzManDu 11/03/2014 at 15:40

1

Can't you use your wife's license? Or was that permit lost as well?

Anyway, up north, in the Netherlands, it's easier. As a Dutchman or someone with a Dutch address that is. You go to the seller, agree to a price, get some of the paperwork from the seller to a postal office, pay them €10 or so and wait a minute, and the car is registered to your name. No need to deal with license plates as plates stay with the car its entire life. Insurance can be bought anywhere, no need for an agent. If it's during a time a postal office is opened I'll need the 1 minute transaction at the postal office and 5 minutes behind a computer (or smartphone I guess) and the car is both registered and insured. Insured at an insurance agency I haven't had previous dealings with, if I so choose. You do need proper ID (drivers license?) at the postal office.

KatzManDu > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/03/2014 at 15:40

0

Indeed. However, with the USSR Russia as the common enemy, the only thing they're arguing over is a currency.

Cé hé sin > KatzManDu 11/03/2014 at 15:42

2

Are you sure you can keep driving on a US licence? They're not generally exchangeable in the EU because of American driving tests.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > KatzManDu 11/03/2014 at 15:43

0

It would be cool to have an Oppo Euro meet. I live 3 hours from the Nurburgring.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > KatzManDu 11/03/2014 at 15:51

0

For now...

Meatcoma > KatzManDu 11/03/2014 at 15:56

0

So much cleaner than us 944's with the big ugly ass rubber bumpers. The little ones here aren't too bad at all.

Steve in Manhattan > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/03/2014 at 16:14

0

I believe it was Clarkson who said that Belgium was invented as a place for Germany and England to work out their differences.

And talk about Belgium all you want KatzManDu - we were in Belgium a few years back for a wedding and loved it. You can push a button on a machine on the train platform and a beer will come out! Best country in the world.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Steve in Manhattan 11/03/2014 at 17:46

0

I am fairly certain is was May who said that.

Steve in Manhattan > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/03/2014 at 18:40

0

You may be right. Pretty sure that's when they flew in bombers over to Belgium to challenge ze Chermans.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Steve in Manhattan 11/03/2014 at 19:01

0

That is when I am thinking they made that reference as well.

Steve in Manhattan > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/03/2014 at 19:08

1

One day I will visit the 'Ring and get Sabine Schmitz to take me around in the Ring Taxi. Then I'll put my rental car around. You can help scatter my ashes, if you wish.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Steve in Manhattan 11/03/2014 at 20:44

0

As much as I wish I could do that same, I have to admit that I am far too scared to let her drive me around.

I do not ride along well. I've ridden with a good friend for an auto-x and I did not enjoy it.

Steve in Manhattan > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 11/03/2014 at 20:54

0

I don't think I'd be able to shit myself in front of a beautiful woman, so I'd be fine.

KatzManDu > duurtlang 11/04/2014 at 10:59

0

The plates follow the owners in Belgium, not the cars.

KatzManDu > Cé hé sin 11/04/2014 at 10:59

0

Yes, and I can exchange it for a Belgian one, which I may have to do in the next few weeks.