Your son or daughter wants to get their driving licence — and you are wondering what that is going to cost. The honest answer: that mainly depends on a choice you make together (driving school or supervising them yourself) and a risk you can limit (failing exams).
In this article, we list all the costs — from the cheapest to the most expensive scenario — so that you as a parent know where you stand and where the real opportunities to save are.
The short answer Via private supervision (you teach your child to drive yourself): expect a total of 150 to 250 euros if your child passes both exams first time. Via driving school (20 hours of lessons): expect 1,400 to 2,000 euros. The biggest cost risks: failing the theory exam (after 2 failures: mandatory 12 hours of lessons, 150-250 euros extra) and failing the practical exam (after 2 failures: mandatory 6 hours of extra driving lessons). |
The fixed costs: exams and administration
You always pay these costs, whichever route you choose:
Cost item | Amount |
Theory exam (per attempt) | 19 euros |
Practical exam incl. risk perception test (per attempt) | approx. 60 euros |
Provisional driving licence (municipality) | approx. 25-30 euros |
Full driving licence (municipality) | approx. 25-30 euros |
Total fixed costs (everything first time) | approx. 130-140 euros |
The rates for municipal documents differ slightly per municipality. Some municipalities charge extra taxes.
The big choice: driving school or supervise them yourself?
This is the decision that determines the price tag. Both routes lead to the same driving licence:
| Private supervision (you as a parent) | Driving school (20 hours of lessons) |
Driving lessons | 0 euros — you are the instructor | 1,200-1,800 euros |
Training session for supervisor | 20 euros (one-off, valid for 10 years) | N/A |
Provisional driving licence | valid for 36 months, from age 17 | 18 months, independent from age 18 |
Minimum practice period | 5 months (since 1/3/2024) | 5 months (since 1/3/2024) |
Time investment parent | High — dozens of practice drives | Low |
Total route (passing first time) | approx. 150-250 euros | approx. 1,400-2,000 euros |
The middle ground that many families choose A popular combination: a few hours of driving school for the basics (starting off, changing gears, first traffic experience — approx. 300-500 euros for 4 to 6 hours) and then continuing to practice with you as a supervisor. This way, your child gets professional foundations and the cost remains limited. Ask the driving school about individual lesson packages. |
The biggest hidden cost: failing an exam
What cost overviews often forget: the route above applies when passing first time. Every failure carries a price tag — and after two failures, mandatory lessons are added:
Scenario | Extra cost |
Failing theory exam once | +19 euros |
Failing theory exam twice | +38 euros and mandatory 12 hours of theory lessons: 150-250 euros |
Failing practical exam once | +60 euros |
Failing practical exam twice | +120 euros and mandatory 6 hours of driving lessons: 300-420 euros |
The worst-case scenario — failing both exams twice — costs 600 to 850 euros extra. For the theory exam, that risk is real: the national pass rate on the first attempt is only 55 to 65%.
The cheapest insurance: good theory preparation For 9.99 euros (RAPP Premium, 14 days) your child practices the theory exam as it really is: 50 questions in 15 seconds, correct scoring system for major offences, automatic error analysis and the risk perception test. Includes free printable PDF of the full theory. As a parent, you can objectively see when your child is ready: 3 mock exams in a row above 43/50. This way you avoid the 19 euro re-sit exam and the risk of 150-250 euros in mandatory lessons. 98% of RAPP users pass. |
Three realistic total scenarios
Scenario 1 — Budget: private supervision, passed first time
Item | Cost |
Theory preparation (RAPP Premium) | 9.99 euros |
Theory exam | 19 euros |
Training session for supervisor | 20 euros |
Provisional driving licence | approx. 27 euros |
Practical exam | approx. 60 euros |
Full driving licence | approx. 27 euros |
TOTAL | approx. 165 euros |
Scenario 2 — Combination: 6 hours of driving school + private supervision
Item | Cost |
Theory preparation + theory exam | approx. 29 euros |
6 hours of driving school (basics) | approx. 360-480 euros |
Training session + documents | approx. 74 euros |
Practical exam | approx. 60 euros |
TOTAL | approx. 525-645 euros |
Scenario 3 — Full driving school route (20 hours)
Item | Cost |
Theory preparation + theory exam | approx. 29 euros |
20 hours of driving school | 1,200-1,800 euros |
Documents | approx. 54 euros |
Practical exam | approx. 60 euros |
TOTAL | approx. 1,345-1,945 euros |
5 concrete saving tips for parents
• Invest in theory first: The cheapest part (9.99 + 19 euros) with the greatest risk. Passing first time avoids up to 270 euros in extra costs and months of delay.
• Choose consciously between driving school and supervision: The difference is 1,200-1,800 euros. Do you have time and patience? Private supervision works excellently — thousands of families do it every year.
• Consider the middle ground: 4-6 hours of driving school for the basics + continuing to practice yourself combines a professional start with a limited cost.
• Register two supervisors: Having both parents on the provisional driving licence (max. 2) doubles the practice opportunities — more practice = higher chance of passing the practical exam.
• Plan the exam on scores, not on feelings: Only let your child take part when they score above 43/50 on 3 mock exams in a row within 15 seconds. Every avoided re-sit is pure savings.
Start with the cheapest and most important investment RAPP prepares your son or daughter for the category B driving licence theory exam at GOCA exam level — including free printable PDF of the full theory, mock exams within 15 seconds, error analysis by theme and risk perception test. Start for free, 9.99 for 14 days of full access. No subscription. |
Frequently asked questions from parents (FAQ)
How much does my child's category B driving licence cost in total? Via private supervision (you teach your child to drive): approx. 165 euros if they pass first time. Via a combination (6 hours of driving school + supervision): approx. 525-645 euros. Via the full driving school route (20 hours): approx. 1,345-1,945 euros. The exams and documents cost approx. 130-140 euros in each route. |
What is the cheapest route to a category B driving licence? Private supervision: you (and possibly a second supervisor) teach your child to drive yourself. Costs: training session (20 euros), theory preparation (9.99 euros), exams and documents (approx. 133 euros). Total approx. 165 euros — provided they pass first time. Condition: you have held a category B driving licence for at least 8 years and complete the training session. |
What does it cost if my child fails the theory exam? Each re-sit exam costs 19 euros. After 2 failures, 12 hours of theory lessons are mandatory (150-250 euros) before a third attempt. The national pass rate on the first attempt is 55-65% — so a thorough preparation at exam level is not an unnecessary luxury. |
What does the practical exam cost and what if my child fails? The practical exam (including risk perception test) costs approx. 60 euros per attempt. After 2 failures, 6 hours of driving lessons are mandatory (300-420 euros) before a new attempt. Accumulating enough practice mileage with you as a supervisor is the best prevention. |
Is the driving school worth 1,200-1,800 euros? That depends on your situation. The driving school offers professional instruction and saves you dozens of hours. Private supervision is much cheaper and has a proven track record — provided your child gets enough varied practice opportunities. The middle ground (a few hours of driving school + practicing yourself) combines both advantages for 300-500 euros. |
Are there any other hidden costs I should take into account? Think of: insurance (notify your insurer — usually covered for free but check your policy), a second wing mirror and L-sign (approx. 15-25 euros combined), fuel for the practice drives and possibly a day of exam training at the driving school just before the practical exam (approx. 120-180 euros, optional). |
See also
• Practising category B driving licence theory in Belgium: the best approach to pass first time
• How to pass your category B driving licence theory exam first time?
• What is the category B driving licence risk perception test in Flanders?
Written by Daan Van Isterdael, co-founder of RAPP. He built the platform that helps more than 10,000 Belgian candidates pass their driving licence test.