Category B
A category B driving licence is required for drivers of motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not in excess of 3,500 kg and which are designed and built to carry a maximum of 8 passengers in addition to the driver.
Motor-driven quadricycles also come into this category.
A category B driving licence obtained before 01/01/1989 is also valid for categories BE.
Want to attach a trailer to your vehicle?
The holder of a driving licence valid for category B, which does not have the code 96, may drive a combination made up of a category B vehicle and a trailer whose maximum authorised mass does not exceed 750 kg. If the maximum authorised mass of the trailer exceeds 750 kg, a category B licence is sufficient, subject to the maximum authorised mass of the combination not exceeding 3,500 kg. Failing this, a specific driving licence is required.
Did you know ?
Holders of a category B licence can also drive a category AM moped or scooter?
If you obtained your category B licence after 1st May 2011, you can, two years later, drive a motorcycle or scooter of 125 cc maximum, limited to 11 kW (15 hp), with a maximum power/weight ratio of 0.1 kW per kg, on condition of having attended four hours of driver training at an accredited driving school. If this is the case, there is no practical test or theory test to take.
If your licence was issued before 1st May 2011, you are not required to attend training to be able to drive a moped or scooter, although this training is strongly recommended by all professionals. Driving lessons are available at driving schools and at ongoing training centres.
IMPORTANT: this system (category A1 licence with category B licence) only allows you to drive in Belgium. To drive in other countries, you must hold a full category A1 licence in its own right.
If you obtained your category B licence before the end of 1988, you can drive a motorcycle or scooter on public roads with no limits on power or engine capacity. However, for safety reasons, we recommend attending a training course at a driving school or ongoing motorcycle training centre.
Theory test
If you wish to obtain your driving licence, you will first have to pass a theory test.
To prepare for the test, you have the choice between theory training at an accredited driving school and private driver training.
The test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. To pass, you need to score a minimum of 41 points out of 50.
Each wrong answer loses you 1 point, except for questions about 3rd degree offences (not respecting a no-entry sign) and 4th degree offence (making a U-turn on a motorway). Exceeding the authorised maximum speed loses you 5 points. This means that making two serious mistakes will bring the test to an end and you will be failed.
ACCREDITED DRIVING SCHOOL
SELF-LEARNING
Risk perception test (RPT)
Passing the risk perception test is necessary in order to take the practical test.
The risk perception test is a computer-based test enabling you to measure your ability to identify risk situations in differing traffic conditions.
A video sequence is played on the screen of your computer. Imagine yourself at the steering wheel of your car. When you see a risk, click on it.
A risk is an external event that obliges you to adjust your speed, change direction, sound your horn, etc.
During the test, you will have to identify 10 risks, spread across 5 films. There are films with 0, 1, 2 or 3 risks. You are allowed to click 10 times. A correctly identified risk = + 1 point. An incorrect click = – 1 click. Once you have used up your 10 clicks, the test stops.
You need to obtain a minimum of 6/10 to pass.
The cost of the risk perception test is 16 euros.
Technical driving ability test
NEW If you wish to drive alone before your final practical test, you must pass a technical driving ability test.
You must first have a valid pass certificate for your theory test and your risk perception test.
The test will be held by appointment, at the examination centre of your choice.
The test consists of:
– a simplified technical inspection of your vehicle by the examiner;
– an assessment of your driving ability on the road, lasting 30 minutes;
-a series of manoeuvres on public roads, taken at random from: a 3-point turn, stopping on the left or right of the road, reverse or forward perpendicular parking on the road, reversing in a straight line.
The cost of the technical driving ability test is 67 euros.
ACCREDITED DRIVING SCHOOL
PRIVATELY TAUGHT
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.
To be admitted for the practical test, you must have passed the theory test within the past 3 years or be exempt and have passed the risk perception test.
Moreover, for the candidates who passed their first theory test for this category after 30/06/2018 and who continued to learn to drive privately, the learning appointment must have been attended by the candidate and the private instructors mentioned on the provisional driving licence for minimum 3 months before the practical test can be taken.
NEW from 1st July 2018: a number of new features make their debut for the practical test:
Self-assessment
This test, conducted by computer before the beginning of your test, consists of determining your level of skill after your driver training. A list of skills is displayed on the screen. For each statement, you have to score yourself, from 1 to 5 (very good), for the level that you believe you have reached at the end of learning to drive. This assessment does not in any way affect the result of your test. The examiner will look at your results on completion of the test. It will help make the final debriefing objective.
Save time: : complete your self-assessment at home and enter it quickly on the day of your test.
During your test, you will be required to perform two manoeuvres on public roads. The first, which is mandatory, is stopping on the left or right of the roadway. The second is drawn at random from the following manoeuvres:
Three-point turn;
Reversing in a straight line;
Perpendicular parking on the roadway going forward;
Perpendicular parking on the roadway in reverse.
Independent driving
You will be required to drive on public roads for 10 minutes, in control alone and without any directions from the examiner, using traffic signs and signals. If there are no signs/signals, the examiner will intervene. The examiner will tell you when this part of the test starts and finishes.
*The conditions that apply are those in effect on the date of your test.
ACCREDITED DRIVING SCHOOL
PRIVATELY TAUGHT
DIRECT ACCESS
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 automatically be charged an administrative fee of € 28.
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.
Identity card
Provisional driving licence
Pass certificate for the risk perception test
Follow-up certificate for the learning appointment (private training)
Completed roadbook (at least 1,500 km) for applicants holding a provisional 18 or 36-month driving licence
Identity card
Driving licence
Follow-up certificate for the learning appointment (private training)
Registration certificate
Insurance card
Green technical inspection certificate (if submitted)
L plate
If taking the test privately:
Second internal rear-view mirror