Take the smooth route to your driving licence

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. 

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 Brussels 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 Brussels Mobile, completely free of charge! A great way to ensure you’re properly prepared for taking your driving theory test.
 

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 Brussels 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 Brussels Mobile.

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.