Overheid, Gemeente, Vergunning
Particulier
Is having checks that Dutch citizens do not have upon exchanging license equate to discrimination?
I went to exchange my UK driver's license for a Dutch one at the Gemeente, who put an application to the CBR. I was obliged to fill in the 'gezondheidsverklaring', where there was a question asking whether I had any psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. I answered "yes" as I was diagnosed as "depressed in remission" by a Dutch doctor three years ago. On the basis of this answer I was referred to a psychiatrist to be assessed in order to be allowed to drive, cost €200.
People with EU driver's licenses are not assessed for depression, nor are they expected to fill out the Gezondheidsverklaring form. This, to me, amounts to different standards for EU and non-EU drivers. According to studies, more than 1 million Dutch people have had depression. Yet Dutch citizens are not routinely assessed by a CBR-appointed psychiatrist. To me, this appears to equate to unequal treatment of a group of people based on non-EU status. It further seems just to either consider depression a risk status for driving for all people, or for none.
I look forward to your advice. Thank you so much in advance.
People with EU driver's licenses are not assessed for depression, nor are they expected to fill out the Gezondheidsverklaring form. This, to me, amounts to different standards for EU and non-EU drivers. According to studies, more than 1 million Dutch people have had depression. Yet Dutch citizens are not routinely assessed by a CBR-appointed psychiatrist. To me, this appears to equate to unequal treatment of a group of people based on non-EU status. It further seems just to either consider depression a risk status for driving for all people, or for none.
I look forward to your advice. Thank you so much in advance.