Taking the test with automatic or manual transmission

You have your category B ‘automatic’ transmission (Code 78) licence and wish to obtain your ‘manual’ transmission licence.

For this, you do not have to take your theory test again.

First of all, you have to do driver training:

- either via an accredited driving school (minimum 2 hours),

- or under a model 3 provisional driving licence.  A model 3 provisional driving licence is valid for 12 months and can be obtained immediately from your local council offices on presentation of your current category B driving licence.

You will then have to pass another practical test driving a vehicle equipped with manual transmission. 

The practical test can be taken after a minimum on one month’s driver training. During this period you must be accompanied at all times by one of your private instructors. These private instructors must meet the following conditions:

• they must have held a Belgian or European driving licence valid for category B for at least 8 years and valid to drive the vehicle driven by the candidate. Drivers who are allowed only to drive a vehicle adapted for their disability may not be a private instructor, except if he or she has the same disability;
• they must be registered in Belgium and hold an identity document issued in Belgium;
• they must not be disqualified from driving (currently or within the past 3 years) prior to the date of issue of the provisional driving licence and they must have passed any tests ordered by the courts.