Laminate Belgian driving license

Have it exchanged for the current plastic one.

No

Why not simply put it inside a plastic folder to protect it

I don't understand why you don't get a new plastic one? It's really handy as it's credit card sized and it's obviously waterproof.

You will eventually HAVE to change your existing paper driving licence to the new format plastic card.

I was told some time ago that I couldn't just 'get' a new plastic one - I had to wait for the commune to send for me.
On the other hand, my paper licence is in my wallet and, apart from noticing occasionally that it is still there, I've never taken it out for ages - at least more than 10 years ago. Why would I need to?

Just report (to the police) that you have lost or mislaid your paper licence and take the paper that they give you to your commune, they may need a photo (but they may use your eID one which they have on-line, it depends how old it is and whether you still look like it) and you will have to pay a fee, but your new replacement licence will be a plastic one.

Just ask for one. If you asked if you could have one, that isn't the same question of stating you want one. It isn't always so direct here, so you need to be.

I just said I was there to apply for the plastic one. They took my money and gave it.