The process in a nutshell

From age 17: theory exam (50 questions, 41/50 required, 19 euros). After passing: theory certificate valid for 3 years. Then choose: driving school (20 hours of lessons, provisional driving licence 18 months, independent from age 18) or free supervision with you as a parent (provisional driving licence 36 months, 3-hour training session mandatory). Minimum 5 months of practice (provisional driving licence from 1/3/2024). Then practical exam: GOCA Risk Perception Test + road test.

Step 1: The theory exam — from age 17 (and this is where you make the difference)

The first step is the theory exam for driving licence B: 50 multiple-choice questions at an approved GOCA exam centre, at least 41/50 correct, 15 seconds per question, 19 euros per attempt. Theory lessons are not mandatory — your child can study entirely independently. But beware: the national pass rate on the first attempt is only 55 to 65%. And after 2 failures, your child is required to take 12 hours of theory lessons at an approved driving school (averaging an extra 150-250 euros) before they can take the test again. Proper preparation is therefore no luxury — it is the cheapest investment of the entire process. Important to know: 5 of the 50 questions concern major offences. A mistake costs 5 points, and two major mistakes mean an immediate fail — even if the rest was perfect.

Tip for parents: Choose a practice platform that simulates the real exam: 15 seconds per question, correct scoring system and error analysis. RAPP does just that — and also provides a free printable PDF of the full theory, so your child can also study offline. Objective measure: your child is ready when they score above 43/50 on 3 mock exams in a row.

Step 2: The choice: driving school or supervising them yourself?

After the theory exam, you must make a fundamental choice together. Option A — driving school: your child takes at least 20 hours of practical lessons at an approved driving school. After receiving a certificate of competence, they can apply for a provisional driving licence without a guide from age 18 (valid for 18 months) and practice independently. Cost: averaging 1,200 to 1,800 euros for 20 hours of lessons. Option B — free supervision: you (and possibly a second supervisor) teach your child to drive yourself. The provisional driving licence with a supervisor is valid for 36 months and is available from age 17. Cost: only the training session (20 euros) plus the provisional driving licence. This is by far the cheapest option — but requires time and patience from you as a parent. Combinations are also possible: a few hours of driving school for the basics, then continuing to practice with you.

Tip for parents: The validity of the provisional driving licence starts running on the day your child passes the theory exam — not on the day you collect it from the town hall. So do not wait too long to collect it and get started.

Step 3: Becoming a supervisor: the conditions (Flanders)

Do you want to be a supervisor yourself? Then you must meet these conditions: you have held a Belgian or European driving licence B for at least 8 years. Your driving licence has not been suspended in the past 3 years. You are registered in Belgium with a Belgian identity document. You have not been listed as a supervisor on anyone else's provisional driving licence in the past year (exception: your own children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, foster children or your partner's children). And since 1 March 2024, the training session is mandatory: a 3-hour course (classroom or online) that costs 20 euros and remains valid for 10 years. The training session must be completed at least 5 months before the practical exam. You will receive a supervisor's certificate — keep this safe, as you must present it at the practical exam; registration in