You finally want to hit the road independently, but how do you go about getting a category B driving licence in Belgium? From your first driving lesson to passing the practical exam — the process is more straightforward than you might think, but there are a number of rules and steps you need to consider. In this blog post, we will outline everything for you.

What is a category B driving licence?

The category B driving licence is the standard driving licence for cars in Belgium. With a category B driving licence, you are allowed to drive vehicles with a maximum permitted mass (MTM) of 3,500 kg and a maximum of 8 seats (excluding the driver). In practice, this includes regular cars, vans, and light trucks that fall within that weight limit.

A category B licence is legally required in Belgium — and across the entire European Union — to drive a vehicle on public roads.

At what age can you obtain a category B driving licence?

In Belgium, you can start driving at 17 years old through guided driving. You only receive the full, independent category B driving licence at 18 years old.

There are basically two paths:

1. Traditional driving school

You take lessons from an accredited driving school and take the theory and practical exams. This is the most common route for those who have not participated in guided driving.

2. Guided driving (driving licence 17)

Through this route, you can start driving at 17, guided by an accredited supervisor (a parent, guardian, or another person aged at least 24 with a minimum of 8 years of driving experience). You drive together with that supervisor for a minimum of 6 months, after which you can convert your category B driving licence to a full driving licence at 18. This route is popular as it can be cheaper and provides significantly more driving experience.

Step by step: obtaining a category B driving licence in Belgium

Step 1: Take the theory exam

The theory exam for a category B driving licence consists of 50 multiple-choice questions about traffic rules, road signs, and situations in traffic. You may make a maximum of 10 mistakes to pass.

You take the exam at an accredited examination centre, such as GOCA (the former VAB driving licence) or at driving schools that offer theory exams. You can take the exam in Dutch, French, German, or English.

Step 2: Attend driving lessons

After passing the theory exam, you can begin the practical lessons. How many lessons you need depends greatly on your aptitude and pace. On average, candidates take between 20 and 40 hours of lessons, but this can vary widely.

Driving lessons at a driving school cost an average of €35 to €60 per hour, depending on the driving school and the region. In Flanders, the price is generally slightly lower than in Brussels.

If you are driving through guided driving, the mandatory driving school lessons are more limited, but even here, a few hours are required at an accredited driving school.

Step 3: Take the practical exam

The practical exam for a category B driving licence lasts about 45 minutes and is conducted by an accredited examiner from GOCA or an equivalent examination centre. You will be assessed on:

• Vehicle control

• Knowledge and adherence to traffic rules

• Anticipation and safe driving behaviour

• Driving on different types of roads (urban traffic, highways, ring roads)

You will drive in the vehicle of your driving school or supervisor, together with the examiner. In guided driving, the supervisor will also be in the car.

Pass or fail? In the practical exam, mistakes are classified into regular mistakes and dangerous mistakes. If you make a dangerous mistake, you will automatically fail.

How long does the process take?

For the traditional route, expect an average of 3 to 6 months from your first lesson to obtaining the category B driving licence, depending on how quickly you can schedule lessons and how soon you can take the exam.

With guided driving, there is a mandatory waiting period of 6 months between obtaining the provisional driving licence (type 36 months) and the practical exam. The complete process can take a year or longer.

Common mistakes in the practical exam

Many candidates fail not due to major errors but because of small uncertainties that accumulate. Pay extra attention to:

• Consistently checking blind spots (shoulder check)

• Priority rules at intersections without signage

• Adjusting speed in school areas and built-up zones

• Parking: both reverse parking and parallel parking are often required

• Lane discipline on the highway

  
  

Conclusion

Obtaining a category B driving licence in Belgium is a step-by-step process that begins with a provisional driving licence and ends after passing the practical exam. Whether you choose the traditional driving school or guided driving — preparation and adequate practice are the keys to success. With the right approach, you can obtain your category B driving licence quicker than you think.

Do you want to practice for the theory exam? Log in to RAPP now and start for free!

Good luck on the road!