How long is your theory valid?

Your theory certificate for driving license B is valid for 3 years throughout Belgium, calculated from the day you pass. Within those three years, you must apply for your provisional driving license, practice, and pass your practical exam. If you let that period expire, you will have to retake the theory exam completely.

What if your theory exam expires?

If your certificate expires before you pass your practical exam, your theory becomes invalid and you will have to retake it. Good to know: you may take a new theory exam before the old one officially expires, so you do not lose time and maintain your validity.

Note: two separate validity periods

Your theory certificate (3 years) and your provisional driving license (18 or 36 months) each have their own validity period, which runs independently of each other. To be allowed to take your practical exam, you must have a valid copy of both at that time. So keep an eye on both expiration dates.

The minimum ages

You may take your theory exam from the age of 17. You may only take the practical exam for driving license B from the age of 18.

The next step: your provisional driving license

After your theory, you apply for your provisional driving license: a model with a supervisor (M36, from 17 years) or without a supervisor (M18, from 18 years, after 20 hours of driving lessons). The minimum practice period and the rules differ per region. You can read all the details in the provisional driving license (M18 vs M36).

Frequently Asked Questions

Further reading: Provisional Driving License · Request Exam · How does it proceed?

Last updated: June 2026 · Content reviewed by Mathieu, instructor · Source: GOCA and the Belgian Highway Code