Belgium Driving License Extension: Latest Rules

Learner driver practicing in a car in Belgium before taking the practical driving test — Learner drivers in Flanders have specific options if their provisional driving license expires

Drivers in Belgium who hold a temporary or learner driving license should check its expiration date carefully. Although some temporary driving licenses were extended during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, that emergency measure has long since expired.

In Flanders, learner drivers now have specific options if their provisional driving license expires before they pass the practical driving test. The available options depend on the type of license they hold and how long it has been expired.

Here is what drivers need to know about provisional driving licenses in Belgium in 2026.

Why Were Temporary Driving Licenses Extended in 2020?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, driving test centers faced disruptions and delays. To give learner drivers more time to complete their training and take their practical exams, the Flemish government introduced temporary measures, including an extension for certain provisional driving licenses until December 31, 2020.

The measures were intended to help candidates who had difficulty booking driving lessons or practical tests because of pandemic restrictions.

Additional health precautions were also introduced at driving test centers, including hygiene measures and requirements intended to reduce the risk of infection.

These were temporary pandemic-related arrangements. They should not be confused with the current rules for provisional driving licenses.

How Long Is a Provisional Driving License Valid in Flanders?

For category B, which covers ordinary passenger cars, Flanders currently recognizes three main provisional driving license models.

Model M36: Valid for 36 months and requires a registered supervisor.
Model M18: Valid for 18 months and allows driving without a mandatory supervisor, subject to the applicable conditions. Applicants must complete at least 20 hours of practical driving lessons at an approved driving school and obtain a certificate of competence.
Model M12: Valid for 12 months and requires a registered supervisor. It is a one-time option available under specific conditions after an M36 or M18 license expires.

Provisional driving licenses cannot simply be extended by renewing the expiration date.

What Happens If Your Provisional License Expires?

If your M36 or M18 provisional driving license expires before you pass the practical test, you may have several options.

Option 1: Apply for an M12 License

You may be able to apply for an M12 provisional license, which is valid for 12 months.

To qualify, you generally must:

Have completed at least six hours of practical driving lessons at an approved driving school after your previous provisional license expired.
Have a valid theoretical driving test certificate.
Register a qualifying supervisor on the new provisional license.

This option is available only once and is subject to the applicable conditions.

Option 2: Take the Practical Test Through a Driving School

You may also be able to take the practical driving test through an approved driving school after completing the required additional lessons.

The exact requirements depend on your circumstances, including the validity of your theory test and the documentation required by the authorities.

Option 3: Wait Three Years

If you do not use an available alternative, you generally have to wait three years from the expiration of your previous M18 or M36 provisional license before applying for another provisional license of the same category.

You may need to pass the theoretical test again if your previous result is no longer valid.

How to Apply for a Provisional Driving License?

In Flanders, you can apply for a provisional driving license through your local municipality or the federal government’s BelDrive online platform, where the service is available.

You will generally need the application document issued after passing the theoretical test and any additional certificates required for your chosen license model.

Before applying, check the official instructions to make sure your theory test remains valid and that you meet the training requirements.

Are the Rules the Same Across Belgium?

No. Driving license administration and practical training requirements can differ between Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels.

The rules described above apply to provisional category B driving licenses in Flanders. If you live in Brussels or Wallonia, check the rules that apply in your region before making a decision.

Belgium’s 2020 extension of certain provisional driving licenses was a temporary measure introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It does not provide an automatic extension in 2026.

In Flanders, provisional category B licenses are generally valid for 36, 18 or 12 months, depending on the model. If your license has expired, check whether you qualify for an M12 license or can take the practical test through an approved driving school.

Always confirm your individual situation with your municipality or the official Belgian mobility authorities before driving or booking your next test.