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Take the smooth route to your driving licence

For many, obtaining their driving licence is the first step towards independence and more freedom. But how do you start out on your journey, what should you look out for ... and most importantly, what colour of magic tree air freshener should you hang from your rear-view mirror? 

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When can I start?

You can take the driving theory test when you’re 17 years old. You can’t take the practical driving test until you’re 18, have practised for at least five months and hold a provisional driving licence. 

The driving theory test

Before you can get behind the wheel, you have to prove that you know the rules of the road by passing your driving theory test.
There are several ways to get up to speed with the hundreds of traffic rules and road signs. You can start on your own with the help of a driving theory book or you can follow online lessons with VAB (which you can easily book in KBC Mobile😉).
VAB even provides group lessons in a classroom environment where a qualified teacher prepares you and your fellow students for the theory test.
Don't forget that you can also access mock tests in KBC Mobile, completely free of charge! A great way to ensure you’re properly prepared for taking your driving theory test.
 

KBC Top Tip: Make sure not to forget your glasses if you need them as a quick eye test is carried out after your theory test!

Passed or failed?

The next step in your journey to obtain a driving licence depends entirely on how you do in your driving theory test. You need 41 out of 50 to pass.

If you pass, you can go straight to the next section on this site.

If you fail, you can take the test again but not on the same day. You could always practise a bit more by doing the free mock tests in KBC Mobile.

If you fail a second time, you have to go to driving theory classes and obtain a certificate before you can try again. You can book these theory lessons through KBC Mobile.

If you fail for a fourth time, you have to go to driving theory classes again and obtain a new certificate.  

Practising for your practical driving test

Once you’ve passed your driving theory test, you can apply to your municipal council for your provisional driving licence. There are two types of provisional licence:  

The driving licence with a supervisor, which is valid for 36 months and permits you to practice driving with your regular supervisors at your side. You may not drive alone if you have this licence. If you opt instead for a driving licence without a supervisor, you must complete 20 hours of driving lessons at an approved driving school and obtain a certificate of competence from it, after which you can practice unsupervised on public roads. Important: this licence is valid for just 18 months. 

Starter Stan – 6 hours Essential Emma – 12 hours Master Mo – 20 hours 
Basic skills Basic skills Basic skills 
Simple traffic scenarioMore complex traffic scenarios More complex traffic scenarios 
Lessons given in a manual car Introduction to manoeuvres Intensive practice of manoeuvres 
 Take a mock test Take a mock test 
 Lessons given in a manual car Driving on motorways 
  Driving on your own (for over-18s) 
  Lessons given in a manual car 
Starting from 567 eurosStarting from 1 095 eurosStarting from 1 799 euros

KBC Top Tip: You may only drive if the L-plate is clearly displayed on your rear window. You are not allowed to drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Practical driving test

You must have at least five months’ practice under your belt before you can take your practical driving test. When the time comes, you need to make an appointment at a test centre. If you intend taking the driving test through an approved driving school, they will make the appointment for you.  

The test itself is in two parts:  

1) The hazard recognition test and the public road test. The hazard recognition test assesses how quickly you identify and correctly respond to different risks on the road.

2) The public road test lasts for at least 40 minutes. The examiner assesses whether you are in control of the vehicle and whether you correctly apply the traffic rules and regulations. You are also required to perform two manoeuvres on the public road.

KBC Top Tip: Take an additional practical lesson just before sitting your test, so you can go over everything one last time and focus on any weaker areas.

A new feature in the driving test is that you are required to drive with a sat nav. This is to show that you can reach a destination safely and without difficulty not only by following the road signs, but also by following directions from your sat nav. 

If you pass, well done! You’ll get a form from the test centre to send with your application for a driving licence. 

What should you do if you fail?

If you fail, you can always take the test again but not on the same day. If you fail the practical test twice, you have to take six hours of driving lessons at an approved driving school. After completing them, you will receive a certificate from the driving school and you can sit your test again. If you fail two more times after that, you will have to take another six hours of driving lessons. 

How do you apply for your driving licence?

Once you pass your driving test, you can apply for your driving licence at your municipal council. You will need your ID card and your ‘driving licence application’ form. Your driving licence is valid for 10 years, after which you must renew it at your municipal council. 

Refresher session

The refresher session is a compulsory four-hour training course that you are required to attend six to nine months after obtaining your full driving licence. It does not include a test, but there are group practical exercises and a group discussion. You receive a certificate after completing the course. 

KBC Top Tip: Register in good time, because if you don’t, you pay an additional charge if you fail to follow your refresher session within the deadline.

Everything for your driving licence

During this period, you can be assisted by up to two supervisors. They must meet a number of conditions – he or she must be registered as residing in Belgium, hold and carry an ID document issued in Belgium and have had a Category B driving licence for at least eight years. Moreover, this driving licence may not have been suspended in the last three years. Your supervisor must also attend a training session.

The training session provides your supervisor with practical tips on teaching you how to drive safely. Since 2024, they are required to attend this training session at least five months prior to your practical driving test. The three-hour course costs roughly 21 euros and, when completed, your supervisor receives an official certificate. You can easily book a training session using KBC Mobile. 

Unfortunately, we can’t give you a ready answer. The total cost depends on your personal journey to obtaining your licence. You can practise driving theory questions for free in KBC Mobile. If you fail the driving theory test twice, you have to take driving theory lessons. If you opt for a provisional driving licence without a supervisor, you must take at least 20 hours of practical driving lessons, the cost of which varies from one driving school to the other. If you opt for a provisional driving licence with a supervisor, you don’t have to take any driving lessons. As you can see, each journey is unique and so is the associated price tag.

However, you can be sure of these (standard) charges:

  • theory test: 18 euros
  • provisional driving licence: 25 euros
  • practical test: 48 euros
  • driving licence: 25 euros
  • refresher session: 128 euros

If you pass your practical driving test in a manual car, you’re entitled to drive an automatic too. However, it doesn't work the other way around. If you decide on an automatic, you will get a restriction on your driving licence. So think carefully about which one you choose.