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Category D1 - D

Category D1

A category D1 driving licence is required for drivers of motor vehicles for carrying passengers with 9 to 16 seats, in addition to the driver’s seat.

Category D

A category D driving licence is required for drivers of motor vehicles for carrying passengers with more than 16 seats, in addition to the driver’s seat.

Want to attach a trailer to your vehicle?

For trailers whose maximum authorised mass does not exceed 750 kg, a category D-D1 driving licence is sufficient. Otherwise a category DE-D1E driving licence is required.

Are you a professional driver?

If you are a professional driver, you will have to satisfy the professional aptitude requirements (PAC).

Type of vehicle

  • Motor vehicles
  • Between 9 and 16 seats (cat. D1)
  • More than 16 seats (cat. D)

Theory test

If you wish to obtain your category D/D1 driving licence, you must first pass a theory test. The basic test is made up of 50 multiple-choice questions. The test to obtain a professional aptitude certificate (PAC) includes 50 additional questions, as well as 8 case studies and an oral test.

To prepare for your test, you can choose between taking practical training at an accredited driving school or doing self-learning training.

 

ACCREDITED DRIVING SCHOOL

SELF-LEARNING

Conditions for taking the test
Category B driving licence
Category B driving licence
Theory lessons
Min. 6 hours
/
Minimum age to take the theory test
17 years 9 months
17 years 9 months

Passed?

If you pass the theory test, you will be issued with a request for a driving licence that will enable you to obtain your driving licence from your local council within a period of 3 years following the time you pass the theory test. You will have the choice between a practical driver training course at an accredited driving school and private driver training.

Failed?

If you fail the theory test, you cannot present yourself to take the test again on the same day that you fail.

Practical test

To prepare for the practical test, you have the choice between doing practical driver training at an accredited driving school or driver training undertaken privately covered by a provisional licence.

To be admitted for the practical test, you must have passed the theory test within the past 3 years or be exempt.

You will be requested to visit the examination centre to pay for the test in advance. For your own security and for ours, payment by Bancontact is strongly recommended. Credit cards are not accepted.

 

ACCREDITED DRIVING SCHOOL (CAT. D)

ACCREDITED DRIVING SCHOOL (CAT. D1)

Conditions for taking the test
Category B driving licence
Category B driving licence
Practical lessons
Min. 8 hours
Min. 8 hours
Minimum age to take the practical test (without PAC) *
18
18
Minimum age to take the practical test (with PAC)
18
18
Minimum age for full licence (without PAC)
24
21
Minimum age for full licence (with PAC)
18 **
18
Length of driver training period
/
/
Private instructor
No
No

* In line with the legislation in effect, you can obtain a provisional driving licence and take your practical test from the age of 18. Nonetheless, the minimum age for obtaining a full driving licence is 21 (cat. D1) or 24 (cat. D).

** If you are under the age of 21, your driving licence will state the code 121: you will be limited to regular transport within the territory of Belgium (where the journey does not exceed 50 km) until the age of 20. After that, you will be limited to the transport of passengers within the territory of Belgium until the age of 21. You may then apply to have this code removed at your local council offices.

 

PRIVATELY TAUGHT (CAT. D)

PRIVATELY TAUGHT (CAT. D1)

Conditions for taking the test
Category B driving licence
Category B driving licence
Practical lessons
/
/
Minimum age for provisional licence (without PAC) *
18
18
Minimum age for provisional licence (with PAC)
18
18
Minimum age to take the practical test (without PAC) *
18
18
Minimum age to take the practical test (with PAC)
18
18
Minimum age for full licence (without PAC)
24
21
Minimum age for full licence (with PAC)
18 **
18
Length of driver training period
1 to 12 months
1 to 12 months
Private instructor
Yes
Yes

* In line with the legislation in effect, you can obtain a provisional driving licence and take your practical test from the age of 18. Nonetheless, the minimum age for obtaining a full driving licence is 21 (cat. D1) or 24 (cat. D).

** If you are under the age of 21, your driving licence will state the code 121: you will be limited to regular transport within the territory of Belgium (where the journey does not exceed 50 km) until the age of 20. After that, you will be limited to the transport of passengers within the territory of Belgium until the age of 21. You may then apply to have this code removed at your local council offices.

Lists of documents you mustn’t forget to bring with you:

All documents must be the originals and be valid.
If you are missing any documents, the test will not take place and you will still be charged for the cost of the test.
Identity card out of date? The test will take place on condition that if you have the out-of-date identity card with you and can present a receipt issued by your local council offices proving you have applied for renewal. The application for a provisional driving licence and/or full driving licence will be retained in the database at the examination centre and will only be issued on presentation of a valid identity card. Without the receipt, the test will not take place.

Person taking the test

Identity card
Category B driving licence

In the event of driver training at an accredited driving school:
Application form for a provisional driving licence
Pass certificate for the theory test
Practical training certificate

If taking the test privately:
Provisional driving licence

Private instructor

Identity card
Driving licence

Vehicle

Registration certificate
Insurance card
Green technical inspection certificate
Technical sheet OR identification report
L plate
If taking the test privately:
Two external rear-view mirrors on the right
Tachograph

Passed?

If you pass the practical test, you will be issued with a request for a driving licence that will enable you to obtain your driving licence from your local council within a period of 3 years following the time you pass the practical test.

Failed?

If you fail the practical test, you cannot present yourself to take the test again on the same day that you fail. After failing the test on 2 occasions, you will only be able to take the test again after attending at least 4 hours of additional driving lessons at an accredited driving school. The vehicle from the accredited driving school is compulsory from the 3rd test onwards.