How to Apply for a Driving License in Belgium
In Belgium, your driving license is like in other European countries. It’s a pink plastic card with your name; when you received your request and, which vehicles it permits you to operate are specified. Typically, this license is valid for ten years from the issue date.
Eligibility:
It would be best if you did a few things to get a Belgian driving license. First, you need to pass a test about the rules of the road. You must be at least 17 years old and take the test at a special place. They also check your eyesight to ensure you can see well enough to drive.
When taking a driving test in Belgium, it is necessary to bring the original copies of the required documents.
- Proof of identity
- A residency document
- Provisional driving licence
- Evidence of the fee payment
- Proof of insurance
- Vehicle registration documents
Once you pass the test, you must learn how to drive a car. The way you do this can be a bit different depending on where you live in Belgium:
In Brussels, you can pick from four ways to learn, like getting lessons from a driving school or practising independently. It takes between three to nine months. Or you can do a fast track where you get 30 hours of lessons with a driving school, and then you can take the driving test.
In Flanders, you must practice with a special license for at least three months.
In Wallonia, you have a few choices, too. You can do the fast track like in Brussels or practice independently or with a driving school. You also need a special license for at least three months.
You can ask for a full driving license after you finish training and pass the driving test. You must be at least 18 to take the driving test.
Provisional License:
You can get a provisional license before you get a full charge. You can get it with or without someone supervising you. You must take 20 hours of lessons with a certified driving school to get it without supervision. If they think you’re ready to drive independently after that, they’ll give you a certificate.
Having passed the theory test, the new driver receives a certificate from their local authority(commune). They will then be issued a provisional driving license.
Validity: Provisional License is valid for either 18 or 36 months, depending on the type of training chosen.
Types: Provisional licenses are issued according to age and how the driver is being taught:
You must complete 20 hours of driving lessons at a recognized school to obtain a provisional driving license without supervision. If your instructor deems you competent enough to practice driving independently, you will be issued a certificate of competence. After obtaining this certificate, you may apply for your provisional driving license at your local council. You are then allowed to drive without supervision. After receiving this certificate, you can apply for your temporary driving license at your local council. You are now allowed to go without care.
- ii) Provisional driving license with supervision:
You should immediately apply to your local council for a provisional driving license and register two supervisors. You may only practice if at least one of these supervisors is in the car. In this case, your temporary driving license is valid for 36 months.
Theory Driving License
Getting a full driving license in Belgium requires finishing a set amount of driving training while holding your provisional license. The number of hours you need to complete varies depending on where you live: Brussels, Flanders, or Wallonia. Interestingly, in Brussels and Wallonia, there’s an option called “direct access,” which lets you take the practical driving test right after you finish 30 hours of lessons with a driving school without waiting for a specific training period.
You must accept the practical test at a recognized test centre in Belgium. If you pass the practical test, the test centre will give you an application form, which you can use to apply for a full driving license.
You must go to your local council office with the completed and signed application form and your Belgian residence (eID) card. Depending on your municipality, the license will cost between €25 and €30, and you may have to wait around three to five working days before you can collect it.
