You can prepare for the theoretical exam either by self-study or by theoretical courses provided by a driving school. If you pass your theoretical exam, it is valid for 3 years.

To pass, you must score at least 41 out of 50, knowing that you can only make one serious mistake. However, if you fail the exam twice in a row, you will have to take 12 hours of theoretical lessons at a recognized driving school.

Step 2: automotive learning

After passing your theory test, you can actually learn to drive a car. However, the possibilities in this regard may vary from one region to another.

To practice, you have the choice between 2 possibilities:

Without support (18 months)

From the age of 18, you will be able to practice without a supervisor, provided that you have followed at least 20 hours of driving lessons in an approved First car and that it then issues you a certificate of driving. aptitude. With this certificate, you can then ask the municipality for your provisional driving license. This driving license will be valid for 18 months.

With support (36 months)

From the age of 17, you can choose to practice with a supervisor. To do this, you will need to request an application form from the driving school. In this document, you will then have to designate 2 supervisors (maximum). Then, you can use this document to ask the municipality for your provisional driving license, which will be valid for 36 months. In this case, you will only be able to drive with one of the companions indicated on your provisional driving license.

Walloon region

Here you will first have to do a risk perception test. This is a test which checks, on the basis of videos, whether the candidate is able to sufficiently assess the risks on the road. To pass this test, you must obtain at least 6 out of 10.

Only after passing this test can you choose between the following possibilities to practice on the road:

Without support (18 months)

From the age of 18, you can apply for a provisional driving license, provided that you have followed at least 20 hours of driving lessons in an approved driving school and that the latter then issues you a certificate of aptitude. In addition, you will also have to pass an aptitude test (= simplified version of the practical test). Only then will you be allowed to travel on the road without a supervisor! You can also opt for an accelerated course, with at least 30 hours of driving lessons.

With support (36 months)

From the age of 17, you can choose to practice with 2 supervisors (maximum). In this case, you will only be able to drive in the company of at least one of these supervisors. The candidate driver and the accompanying person(s) must complete a 3-hour training course (this training can also be carried out online). Then you will have to travel at least 1,500 km and you will have to record these kilometers in a “road log”.

From 17 years old

Either with support: practice with a supervisor for at least 9 months before being authorized to take the practical exam.

Either a combination of practice with a guide and a driving school: in this case, you will have to follow at least 14 hours of driving lessons, and after 6 months of practice, you will be able to take the practical driving test.

From 18 years old

Driving school with internship: at least 20 hours of driving lessons and a minimum practice period of 3 months

Driving school without training: at least 30 hours of driving lessons, after which you can immediately take your practical driving test.

Candidate drivers with periods of practice are required to keep a logbook with the number of kilometers traveled (min. 1,500 km) and the circumstances in which they drove. You must be able to present this notebook during the practical driving test.

Step 3: practical driving test

From the age of 18 and after a practice period of at least 3 months, you can take the practical driving test in one of the recognized driving test centers.

If you had to keep a log of your mileage during your internship, you will need to present it before your exam.

During the test, you will be assessed on how you drive on public roads and how you perform certain maneuvers.

If you do not pass your practical driving test twice, you will be required to take 6 hours of practical lessons at an approved driving school. Only with proof of these additional practical lessons can you take a practical driving test again.

If you are successful, you can apply for your driving license at the municipality.

In Flanders , you will be required to take additional training 6 to 9 months after obtaining your final driving license (‘ terugkommoment’ ). During this training, you will introduce yourself, complete some practical exercises and participate in a group conversation with other drivers.