How to obtain a category B driving licence?

You must:

• be at least 17 years old to take the theory test
• practise driving for at least 5 months before taking the practical test
• be at least 18 years old to obtain a provisional driving licence without a supervisor
• be at least 18 years old to take the practical test
• have a valid theory test when you take the practical test. A passed theory test remains valid for 3 years.

1. Theory test

You take the theory test at a test centre. You can prepare by studying independently or by taking theory lessons at a recognised driving school.

If you fail the theory test twice, you must complete 12 hours of theory lessons at a recognised driving school before taking the test for a third time.

Theory test in French, German or English

The theory test itself is in Dutch, but an audio translation is available in French, German or English.

You first hear the questions and possible answers in Dutch and then in the language you have chosen. You cannot bring an interpreter to the theory test.

Tell the test centre when you register that you want to use an audio translation.

2. Provisional driving licence

After passing the theory test and the eyesight test, you receive a document that allows you to apply for a provisional driving licence.

There are 2 main options.

Provisional driving licence without a supervisor – 18 months

You must first complete at least 20 hours of driving lessons at a recognised driving school. If the driving school considers you capable of practising independently, you receive a certificate of competence.

You can then apply for a provisional driving licence without a supervisor. You must be at least 18 years old.

Provisional driving licence with a supervisor – 36 months

You can apply for a provisional driving licence with a supervisor from the age of 17.

You choose 1 or a maximum of 2 supervisors. You may only practise with a supervisor registered on your provisional driving licence or with a recognised driving instructor.

If your provisional driving licence with a supervisor was issued on or after 1 March 2024, your supervisor or supervisors must complete a mandatory 3-hour training course. In principle, at least 1 supervisor must have completed this course at least 5 months before your practical test.

You can apply for your provisional driving licence through your municipality. In many cases you can also apply online through BelDrive.

3. Practical test

You can take the practical test from the age of 18 after practising for at least 5 months. Your theory test must still be valid.

The practical test consists of:

• a hazard perception test on a computer
• a driving test on public roads.

During the road test, you must also perform 2 manoeuvres.

You can take the test in your own vehicle with your supervisor or through a recognised driving school.

If you fail the practical test twice in succession, you must complete at least 6 hours of driving lessons at a recognised driving school before taking the test again. If you subsequently fail twice again, you must complete another 6 hours of driving lessons.

Practical test in French, German or English

For the practical driving test, you may be assisted by a sworn interpreter for French, German or English. You choose and pay the interpreter yourself. Contact the test centre in advance.

4. Applying for your full driving licence

If you pass the practical test, the test centre gives you an ‘Application for a driving licence’.

You can use this document to apply for your driving licence through your municipality or, where possible, online through BelDrive.

It usually takes 3 to 5 working days to produce the driving licence.

5. Refresher course

If the refresher course applies to you, you must attend it between 6 and 9 months after your full driving licence was issued.

The course lasts 4 hours and includes:

• an introductory session
• practical exercises on a closed site
• a group discussion about road safety and driving behaviour.

You do not have to take an examination at the end of the course.

Postponing the refresher course

In exceptional circumstances, you can request a postponement during the period in which you are required to attend the refresher course. This may be possible, for example, for medical reasons, a temporary stay abroad for work or study, the death of a close family member or deprivation of liberty following a judicial decision.

• Theory test: 19 euros
• Audio translation in French, German or English: 43 euros extra
• Provisional driving licence: approximately 25 euros. The price varies by municipality.
• Practical test: 51 euros
• Full driving licence: approximately 25 euros. The price varies by municipality.
• Refresher course: 128 euros

If you attend the refresher course late, you must pay an additional fee of 64 euros.

The cost of theory lessons and practical driving lessons varies between driving schools.

If you take the practical test with a sworn French, German or English interpreter, you choose and pay the interpreter yourself.

Theory test

Bring:

• your identity card or foreigner’s card, or official proof that it has been lost or stolen
• if you are taking the theory test for the third time: proof that you completed 12 hours of theory lessons at a recognised driving school.

Applying for a provisional driving licence

You need the application document issued by the test centre and your identity card.

If you apply for a provisional driving licence without a supervisor, you also need the certificate of competence issued by the driving school.

Check with your municipality which additional documents you need.

Practical test

Bring the required documents for yourself, your vehicle and, if applicable, your supervisor.

These include:

• a valid provisional driving licence
• a valid identity document
• proof of payment if you paid for the test in advance
• proof that you completed the mandatory 6 hours of driving lessons if this applies to you
• the vehicle registration certificate, insurance certificate and inspection certificate if you take the test in your own vehicle.

If you take the test with a supervisor, the supervisor must also bring a valid identity document and a valid Belgian or European driving licence.

For a provisional driving licence with a supervisor issued on or after 1 March 2024, you may also have to provide proof that the mandatory training course for supervisors was completed.

Applying for your full driving licence

You need the ‘Application for a driving licence’ issued by the test centre.

Check with your municipality which other documents you need. This is usually your identity card and, if required, a passport photo.

You may not drive between 10 pm and 6 am on:

• Fridays
• Saturdays
• Sundays
• the evening before a public holiday
• public holidays.

With a provisional driving licence, you may also not:

• tow a trailer
• drive abroad
• transport goods commercially.

• Decree of 9 March 2018 on the refresher course as part of the category B driving tuition (in Dutch) (in Dutch)