Driver training and driving licence tests A1/A2/A

A driver's licence is required to drive on public roads.

You need an A1 licence for the following vehicles:

• motorcycles with a maximum engine size of 125 cm³, maximum power of 11 kW and a power/weight ratio of no more than 0.1 kW/kg.
• motorised tricycles with power of no more than 15 kW

You need an A2 licence for the following vehicles:

• motorcycles with a maximum power of 35 kW and a power/weight ratio of no more than 0.2 kW/kg and not derived from a vehicle with twice its power.

You need an A licence for the following vehicles:

• motorcycles with or without a sidecar with power of more than 35 kW
• motorised tricycles with power higher than 15 kW

You can obtain this licence:

• by first passing a theory test after learning by yourself or with a driving school
• by teaching yourself to drive. You can choose between two training paths: driving school with direct access to both parts of the test or a combination of driving school and private training.
• the practical driving test is in two parts: a test on land isolated from traffic and a test on public roads.

The issuing of the first credit card-type driver's licences by some pilot municipalities began in July 2010 and spread to all other municipalities starting in 2013. These credit card-type driving licences have an administrative validity of ten years, therefore the first driving licenses must now be renewed. It is the duty of every licence-holder to respect the administrative expiry date of their driver's licence and apply to renew it on time.

To best prepare yourself for the theory test part of your driving licence, you can choose to do your own training or take a minimum of 12 hours of theory training in an approved driving school.

Benefits of driving school training:

• provided by a certified instructor up to date with the latest regulations in force
• full training on the subjects covered in the test
• possibility of practising with a multiple-choice question programme (like in the test) on the computers available in the driving schools
• didactic learning and visual presentations
• issuing of a teaching certificate

• Road Traffic Police Act
• Traffic regulations
• Offences by degree
• Importance of vigilance and behaviour towards other users
• Perception, evaluation and reaction, including reaction time, and changes in driver behaviour related to the effects of alcohol, drugs and medication, emotional states and fatigue
• The most important principles relating to distance, braking distance and vehicle handling in various weather and road conditions
• Driving risks related to different road conditions and in particular to variations due to weather conditions and the time of day or night
• Characteristics of the different types of roads and the resulting legal requirements
• Specific risks related to the inexperience of other road users and the involvement in traffic of the most vulnerable categories of users such as children, pedestrians, cyclists and people with reduced mobility
• Risks inherent to the circulation and driving of various types of vehicles and the different visibility conditions of their drivers
• Regulations on administrative documents related to the use of the vehicle
• General rules determining the behaviour of the driver in the event of an accident and the measures they can take to help the victims of road accidents
• Safety requirements related to the vehicle load and the persons transported
• Precautions to take when leaving the vehicle
• Mechanical elements related to driving safety: be able to detect the most common defects that can affect the steering system, suspension, braking, tyres, lights and indicators, reflectors, mirrors, windshield and windshield wipers, exhaust system, seat belts and horn, among others
• Vehicle safety equipment, including the use of seat belts, headrests and child safety equipment
• Rules for the use of the vehicle related to respect for the environment: relevant use of horns, moderate fuel consumption, limiting of polluting emissions
• Safety in tunnels
• Use of protective equipment such as gloves, boots, clothing and helmet
• Visibility of motorcyclists to other road users
• Risks related to different traffic conditions, also paying particular attention to slippery parts of the road such as manhole covers, road markings such as lines and arrows, and tram rails
• Mechanical elements related to safe driving, also paying attention to the emergency stop switch, oil levels and chain

You can take the theory test from the age of 17 years and 9 months.

Please note that the theory test is valid for three years. You must take into account the minimum age required for taking the practical test:

• Category A1: 18 years
• Category A2: 20 years
• Category A: 24 years (22 if you have already had an A2 licence for at least two years)

It costs 15 euro.

There are two test centres in Brussels: Opens in new windowAnderlecht and Opens in new windowSchaerbeek.

The theory test is in the form of an audiovisual test in French or Dutch on a computer. It comprises 50 multiple choice questions.

To pass, you must score at least 41 points out of 50

Please note!

• If you have had an A1 licence for at least two years, you are exempt from the A2 theory test
• If you have had an A2 licence for at least two years, you are exempt from the A theory test

Special theory test sessions:

By appointment only

• Candidates who do not speak Dutch or French can take the test with the assistance of a sworn German or English interpreter appointed by the test centre. The interpreter is paid by the candidate.
• Candidates with a hearing impairment can take the test with the assistance of a sworn sign language interpreter appointed by the test centre. The interpreter is paid by the candidate.
• Candidates whose mental or intellectual capacities or literacy levels are insufficient may take the test in a special session. To be admitted to a special session, a certificate or declaration from a psycho-medical-social centre, a Public Centre for Social Welfare, a special education institute, an observation and guidance centre or a vocational guidance centre must be presented.

Validity:

The pass has a validity of three years.

You must take the practical test before the end of the validity of the theory test!

Exclusion:

A candidate who is found to be cheating will fail and is excluded from all participation in this test for a period of one year.

Candidates who disrupt the test by their behaviour will fail and be excluded from all participation in the test for a period of six months.

There are two possible training paths:

• direct access via a driving school: minimum of 12 hours at a driving school and a combined test (land + public road)
• combination of driving school and private tuition:
  • step 1: at least 9 hours of driving school
  • step 2: passing the test on private land
  • step 3: training with a provisional licence (private lessons)
  • step 4: test on public roads after at least one month of training

Note: you must take three hours of additional training if you want to take your test on public roads with a driving school.

For candidates who have held a driving licence valid for category A1 or A2 for at least two years and who want to obtain a valid licence for category A2 or A respectively, the minimum training is four hours in a driving school.

For candidates who have held a driving licence valid for category A1 or A2 for at least two years, on which a code 78 (automatic) is affixed, and who want to obtain a valid licence for category A2 or A respectively on which this code is not affixed (manual gears), the minimum training is six hours in a driving school.

After two failed tests on land or two failures on public roads, you must take a two-hour training course in an approved driving school and present the learning certificate to be able to take the test again. Any classes taken before the two failures will not be taken into consideration.

The minimum age required for taking the practical test is:

• Category A1: 18 years
• Category A2: 20 years
• Category A: 24 years (22 if you have already had an A2 licence for at least two years)

To be admitted to the practical test, you must have passed the theory test less than three years ago.

There are two test centres in Brussels: Opens in new windowAnderlecht and Opens in new windowSchaerbeek.

The practical test is in two parts: a test on land isolated from traffic and a test on public roads.

The cost varies depending on the test:

• only the practical test on private land: 14 euro
• full practical test: 36 euro
• only the practical test on public roads: 31 euro
• following vehicle: 19 euro
• fee surcharge: 25 euro

If you have trained entirely with a driving school, you can directly access both tests (land and public roads).

If you have chosen the driving school + private lessons combination, you must first pass your test on private land. You will then receive a provisional licence valid for one year. After practising for at least one month, you can take the test on public roads.

To take the test on private land, you must:

• have passed the theory test less than three years ago;
• have taken the minimum number of hours of training in a driving school in accordance with your situation.

Process:

The examiner first checks that you are wearing your equipment correctly and that you take the necessary precautions to get off your vehicle; they will also ask you to carry out the preliminary checks (use of commands and basic technical check).

You must then perform the following sequence of manoeuvres:

• disengage the motorbike, move the bike without using the engine by walking next to it, park the bike in reverse in the parking space and re-engage the bike
• leave a parking space
• slalom
• loop
• take a bend at a speed of 30 km/h, then swerve at a speed of 50 km/h and precision braking
• ride at walking pace
• take an 'S' bend
• take a bend at 30 km/h, then accelerate to 50 km/h and emergency braking

Validity: a passed test remains valid for one year.

To take the test on public roads, you must:

• have passed the theory test less than three years ago
• have passed the test on land isolated from traffic less than one year ago
• have taken the minimum number of hours of training in a driving school depending on your situation and/or have completed training of at least one month with a provisional licence

Process:

You ride around a circuit in traffic for 30 minutes.

You are in front of the examiner, who follows you on a motorbike. You are in contact with the examiner by radio link. 

You will be evaluated under the following headings and evaluation points:

Headings:

• starting
• straight roads
• bends
• crossroads
• changing direction/lane
• entering/leaving a road
• overtaking/crossing
• special situations
• stopping, parking, re-entering traffic

Evaluation points:

• control of the vehicle
• applying the traffic rues
• position on the road
• observation technique
• adapted speed
• defensive driving
• social driving

After two failed tests on land or two failures on public roads, you must take a two-hour training course in an approved driving school and present the learning certificate to be able to take the test again. Any classes taken before the two failures will not be taken into consideration.