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A category B driving licence enables you to tow a trailer on condition that the maximum authorised mass does not exceed 750 kg and/or that the maximum authorised mass of the combination (car + trailer: MAMT) does not exceed 3,500 kg.

 

Otherwise a category B driving licence B with ‘code 96’ is required. A category B96 driving licence if only sufficient if:

 

The maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 4,250 kg (otherwise a category BE driving licence is required);

 

The holder of a category BE driving licence BE may drive a combination consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 750 kg, but does not exceed 3,500 kg.

 

If the maximum authorised mass of your trailer exceeds 3,500 kg, a category C1E driving licence is required.

 

 

If you are the holder of a category BE driving licence issued before 01/05/2013, you can drive a combination consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 3,500 kg, on condition that the maximum authorised mass does not exceed 12,000 kg.

If you are a student in a Belgian establishment, you can take driving tests in Belgium on condition that you are a national of a country that is part of the Schengen area.

When you take your theoretical and practical tests, bring your foreign identity card with you as well as a certificate issued by your local municipality office. This certificate with a municipality letter header mentions your name, surname, date of birth and titular holder number.

If you are not a student, you need to have a valid identity document, issued in Belgium. To find out if your identity document will be accepted, we suggest you contact your local council offices.

Without these documents, the test cannot take place.

A foreign theory test is not valid in Belgium.

There are two categories of driver disqualification:

1 ) Disqualified with licence retained: 

The test imposed by the Public Ministry (theory and/or practical test) can be taken either privately or through a driving school. In the first case, the practical test takes place without private instructor/accompanying person.

The candidate can take the category B practical test with a vehicle fitted with automatic transmission, even if he/she got his/her driving licence with manual transmission. The candidate can then retrieve his/her original driving licence.

The disqualified candidate with licence retained does not have to pass a (new) risk perception test.

2) Disqualified without category B driving licence:

Attending 12 hours of category B theory lessons at a driving school is mandatory to be able to take the theory test.

10 hours of category B practical lessons at a driving school are mandatory to be able to take the practical test, which must be taken with the driving school’s vehicle.

Your local council offices will then issue a 36-month provisional driving licence. After the course (minimum 3 months), the disqualified candidate will obtain a category B driving licence.

Making an appointment

The theory and practical tests for re-admission to driving are held at an accredited examination centre. Appointments can only be made via our customer service number on 087/57.20.30.

If the theory and practical tests are imposed by a judge, they need to be taken in order.

Except for cases where the court has determined otherwise, the candidate must take the re-admission tests for the “highest” category indicated on his/her driving licence.

On the day of the test

The disqualified candidate must go to the examination centre, taking his/her disqualification notice sent by the Public Ministry.

After passing the tests, the examination centre issues a pass document (participation document).

This document must be presented:

either to the clerk of the court to recover the original driving licence if the disqualified person is permanently re-admitted for driving (he/she must have passed any psychological and medical tests required);

or to the person’s local council offices if a probationary driving licence is to be issued following the results of the psychological or medical tests.

Once the period of disqualification has expired and all of the re-admission tests have been passed, the disqualified candidate will regain his/her right to drive. He/she may then recover his/her driving licence. When this is the case, the person in question can recover his/her original driving licence lodged with the clerk of the court.

If you hold a B driving licence issued after 01/05/2011 and for at least 2 years, you may drive a category A1 vehicle provided that you have completed 4 hours of training at an approved driving school and that the code 372 appears on your driving licence next to category B (only on Belgian territory).

If you hold a B driving licence issued before 01/05/2011, you may drive a category A1 vehicle (only on Belgian territory).

If you hold a B driving licence issued before 1989, you may drive any type of motorbike, with no restrictions on power or engine capacity. For your own safety, however, we advise you to take a training course at a driving school or continuing motorbike education centre.

To drive a motorized vehicle legally, it is mandatory to hold a license that corresponds to the vehicle category. Each type of license (AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, C, CE, D, etc.) allows you to operate specific vehicles depending on their power, weight, or intended use (personal, professional, passenger or goods transport). Whether you plan to ride a two-wheeler, drive a car, a van, or a heavy truck, it is essential to know which license is required. Below is an overview of the main license categories and the types of vehicles they allow you to drive.

AMA category AM driving licence is required for drivers of mopeds, scooters and light motor-powered with a maximum engine capacity of 50 cc or a maximum rated power equal to or less than 4 kW (electric motors) and whose maximum speed is higher than 25 km/h, but less than 45 km/h.

A1

A category A1 licence is required to drive a motorcycle with the following characteristics:

Maximum engine capacity of 125 cc,

Maximum power of 11 kW/15 hp

Maximum power/weight ratio of 0.1 kW per kg.

It can be obtained from the age of 18.

A2

A category A2 licence is required to drive a motorcycle with the following characteristics:

Maximum power of 35 kW/47 hp;

Maximum power/weight ratio of 0.2 kW per kg.

The vehicle may not be derived from a model with more than twice its power.

It can be obtained from the age of 20.

A

A category licence A is required for motorcycles with power in excess of 35 kW/47 hp.

It can be obtained from the age of 24. However, this age limit is reduced to 22 for drivers who have held a category A2 licence for at least 2 years.

B

The holder of a category B driving licence may drive the following vehicles:

A motor-driven quadricycle;

A motor vehicle whose maximum authorised mass does not exceed 3,500 kg and which is designed and built to carry a maximum of 8 passengers in addition to the driver.

The holder of a driving licence valid for category B, on which there is no 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 exceeds 750 kg, a category B licence is sufficient, subject to the maximum authorised mass of this combination not exceeding 3,500 kg.

B96

A code 96 may feature on a category B driving licence to indicate that the driver has passed the tests needed to tow a trailer for which the maximum authorised mass exceeds 750 kg. However:

The maximum authorised mass for the combination (car + trailer) may not exceed 4,250 kg (otherwise a category BE driving licence is required);

BE

The holder of a category B + E driving licence may drive a combination consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer (or semi-trailer) whose maximum authorised mass does not exceed 3,500 kg.

If the maximum authorised mass of the trailer exceeds 3,500 kg, a category C1 + E driving licence is required. Holders of a category B + E driving licence issued from 01/05/2013:

may drive a combination consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer (or semi-trailer) whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 3,500 kg, on condition that the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 7,000 kg. Holders of a category B + E driving licence issued before 01/05/2013

may drive a combination consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer (or semi-trailer) whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 3,500 kg, on condition that the maximum authorised mass of the combination does not exceed 12,000 kg.

C1

A category C1 driving licence is required for drivers of motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg and which are designed and built to carry a maximum of 8 passengers in addition to the driver.

If you tow a trailer maximum authorised mass does not 750 kg, a category C1 driving licence is sufficient. Otherwise a category C1E driving licence is required.

C1E

The holder of a category C1E driving licence may drive the following vehicles:

a combination consisting of a category C1 towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 750 kg, subject to the maximum authorised mass of the combination not exceeding 12,000 kg;

a combination consisting of a category B towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 3,500 kg, subject to the maximum authorised mass of the combination not exceeding 12,000 kg.

C

A category C driving licence is required for drivers of motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass greater than 7,500 kg and which are designed and built to carry a maximum of 8 passengers in addition to the driver.

If you tow a trailer whose maximum authorised mass does not exceed 750 kg, a category C driving licence is sufficient. Otherwise a category CE driving licence is required.

CE

The holder of a category CE driving licence may driver a combination consisting of a category C towing vehicle and a trailer or semi-trailer whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 750 kg.

Since 10/09/2009, all professional drivers of category C, C1, CE or C1E vehicles must meet the requirements of a professional aptitude certificate (PAC).

D1 – D1E

A category D1 driving licence is required for drivers of motor vehicles with 9 to 16 seats in addition to the driver and which have a maximum length of 8 metres.

This licence also allows the driver to tow a trailer whose maximum authorised mass does not exceed 750 kg.

Beyond that, a category D1E driving licence is required.

D – DE

A category D driving licence is required for drivers of motor vehicles with more than 16 seats in addition to the driver.

This licence also allows the driver to tow a trailer whose maximum authorised mass does not exceed 750 kg.

Beyond that, a category DE driving licence is required.

Since 10/09/2009, all professional drivers of category D, D1, DE or D1E vehicles must meet the requirements of a professional aptitude certificate.

G

A category G driving licence is required for drivers of agricultural vehicles, as well as for vehicles registered as agricultural equipment, motorised cultivators or combine harvesters, produced from 01.10.1982. This driving licence is valid on Belgian soil only.