Driving in Brussels can be a nightmare. It certainly is for me. Even biking here looks like a whole survival adventure, even though I’ve never done it. (Imagine how scared I am!) Despite this, driving here is quite common and many employers offer a company car as part of their salary packages. If you don’t have a driving license, or Belgium does not recognise or exchange the
one you have, you’ll need to go through the process of getting a Belgian driver’s license.
Before starting, you need to have your Belgian residence permit/ID to show that you live in the country and where you live. Once you have this document, or the paper from the municipality with your national registration number, you can find a school and begin the process of getting your driving license.
It’s good to know that you can drive with your international driving license up to six months after registering as a citizen. You may also need an official translation from your country about your documents, which would allow you to drive in other European countries with your current document.
Getting theory right
This is the first step towards getting your driving license. You can take theory classes at a driving school or prepare for the exam on your own. If you decide that you don’t need the support of a driving school, you can register at: drivinglicence-belgium.be.
There you can buy a “BANK-code” that gives you access to online theory lessons, practice questions and mock exams. The code is valid for 10 days, which may be sufficient if you have a license from abroad and you know what to do behind the wheel.
Once you’ve prepared, you can register for a theory exam via examen.autocontrole.be.
The exam is only available in French or Dutch.
If you don’t speak either language, you’ll need an interpreter and must take the exam at the Evere centre, the only one in Brussels that allows this. If you fail twice, then you need to follow a course at a driving school. The theory exam takes 30 minutes. When you’re booking you have to select the type of license you need (typically this is B). The price for the driving exam is 18 euro but if you need a translator, you’ll likely pay around 50 euros. A pass is valid for three years.
Once you pass the theory exam, you’ll receive a signed document from the exam centre that will allow you to apply for the provisional license.
Driving with a provisional license
The provisional, or temporary, driving license allows learners to drive under certain conditions.
M36 M36 allows you to drive immediately after you pass the theory exam. However, you need to drive with a guide (supervisor), who has had a Belgian driving license for at least eight years and who has no active violations. Additionally, with M36, you’re not allowed to drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and you’re not allowed to have other passengers besides your guide.
M36 is valid for 36 months and allows you to sit the practical exam after nine months without taking additional driving lessons. Getting it early can therefore be useful, as the nine-month waiting period starts as soon as the license is issued.
M18
You can obtain M18 after completing 20 hours of driving lessons at a Brussels driving school. It is valid for 18 months, and you can take the practical exam three months after receiving it.
Doing the work
If you have M18 you can practice using Cambio carsharing. The company offers learners’ car rental, which allows you to practice on your own. However, if you live in Brussels, the closest pick-up location is Leuven, which could be tricky too.
You’ll also need to complete Red Cross training, consisting of an online course and a short in-person session covering basic first aid and what to do in an emergency. The certificate is valid for two years.
Final steps and exam
Once you’ve completed your training and practice, there are two final stages: the risk perception test and the road test.
Risk perception test
The risk perception test is a short digital exam during which you get to see short video scenarios, and you have to answer questions about the situations you’ve seen. This is a multiple-choice exam, which is valid for one year after you’ve done it. If you don’t speak French or Dutch, you need to secure a translator and that costs 40 or 50 euros.
Road test
Once you’ve passed all preliminary exams, it’s time for the road test. You need to go to the exam centre with a car and the original registration documents of the vehicle. If you don’t own a car, you could either rent it or arrange to use the learner’s car.
On the day of the test, your theory exam, risk perception test and provisional license must all still be valid. You can take the road test with an English interpreter, which costs around 50 euros. When you pass the exam; you need to go to the commune within 10 days to apply for your driving license.
Extra advice
- Even if you’re an experienced driver, take a few driving lessons to get acquainted with the road rules. The instructor will also provide guidance on the road, and you’ll have a higher chance of passing.
- Keep in mind that if you don’t speak French or Dutch, you would have to wait three or four months to set up your appointments or classes, because driving schools in Brussels are very busy.
While driving in Europe can be daunting, it’s good to know that all drivers in EU countries get detailed preparation before they hit the road.
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See more about Brussels here in Dispatches’ archives.
Read more from Polya here.
Polya Pencheva
Polya Plamenova Pencheva is a young Bulgarian journalist based in Brussels, Belgium. Polya holds a Master's degree in journalism from Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and loves writing and telling the untold stories of interesting people. You can find her dining at cute café, shopping at markets, scouting second-hand shops or just chillin' at home with something great to read.
