Road safety
The driving training will change on March 1. For example, supervisors must attend a training session and the minimum practice period for candidate directors is extended from three to five months
“Both measures only benefit road safety,” says Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters (Open VLD).
Anyone who has passed the theoretical driving test must apply for a provisional driving license from the city or municipality. There are three types of provisional driving licenses in category B: a provisional driving license without an accompanying person that is valid for eighteen months (M18), a provisional driving license with an accompanying person that is valid for 36 months (M36) and a provisional driving license with an accompanying person that is valid for twelve months ( M12). Only candidate drivers whose previous provisional driving license (M18 or M36) has expired can apply for the latter driving license.
Prospective drivers with an M36 or an M12 can choose two supervisors to teach them how to drive. These supervisors must attend a training session at a recognized driving school or a recognized instructor. The rule applies to all candidate drivers who apply for a provisional driver’s license with a supervisor from February 29. The start date of that provisional driving license is the day after the application. Supervisors of candidate drivers with an M36 must attend the training session five months before the practical exam.
20 euro
It is not a practical test or road code test, but a training course to guide candidate drivers safely and correctly. It takes three hours and can be followed digitally or on site. It costs 20 euros. Participation is valid for ten years and is registered in the database of the Flemish government. After the training session, the supervisors receive a certificate from the driving school or teacher, which they can also find via My Citizen Profile, the online platform that collects personal official data and government administration.
The training moment was also mandatory between October 2017 and March 2020, but it was removed due to a conflict of jurisdiction. Anyone who took part in the training at that time does not have to do so again, but must present the supervisor’s certificate or a copy thereof at the practical exam.
From March 1, every candidate driver with an M18 or M36 must have practiced on public roads for at least five months between issuing the provisional driving license and taking the practical exam. The practice period will also be extended from three to five months for candidate drivers who have previously obtained their provisional driving license, but can only take their practical exam from March 1.
