Expired Provisional Driving Licence in Belgium: What Should You Do?

If your Belgian provisional driving licence for a category B car has expired because you did not take the practical driving test or did not pass it before the licence expired, you may still have options to continue your driving training and work toward obtaining a full Belgian driving licence.

The rules allow eligible drivers to apply for a new 12-month provisional driving licence, known as the M12, during the three-year waiting period, but this option can only be used once and comes with specific conditions.

What Can You Do After Your Provisional Licence Expires?

If your M18 or M36 provisional driving licence has expired, you can apply for an M12 provisional driving licence if you meet the required conditions.

You must have a valid category B theory test and complete at least 6 hours of practical driving lessons at a recognized driving school after your previous provisional licence has expired. The driving school will give you a certificate confirming that you completed the required lessons.

The M12 provisional licence is valid for 12 months and is available only for category B. It can be issued only once, so it is important to use this additional year to prepare for and take the practical driving test.

What Happens After the 12-Month M12 Licence Expires?

The M12 provisional licence cannot be extended or renewed, and the Belgian authorities allow it to be issued only once. During this period, you must continue your preparation and work toward passing the practical driving test.

If the three-year waiting period has passed, you can apply again for a regular provisional driving licence, provided you still meet the applicable requirements. Depending on the type of provisional licence, this can mean a new M36 licence with a supervisor or an M18 licence without a supervisor.

However, your theory test must still be valid when you apply. A category B theory test is generally valid for three years, and if that period has expired, you must pass the theory test again before continuing under the relevant route.

Can You Take the Practical Driving Test After Your Provisional Licence Expires?

Yes, in certain circumstances you can still take the practical driving test without first obtaining another provisional licence.

If your provisional licence has expired and you are in the three-year waiting period, you can take the practical test through a recognized driving school after completing at least 6 hours of practical driving lessons. You will also need the required documents from your municipality showing your previous training period.

This means that people whose provisional licence has expired do not necessarily have to wait three full years before attempting the practical test. They may instead complete the required driving lessons and take the practical test through a recognized driving school, as long as they meet the other conditions, including having a valid theory test.

What If You Fail the Practical Driving Test?

If you fail the practical test twice in a row, you must complete at least 6 hours of practical driving lessons at a recognized driving school before taking the test again. If you fail another two consecutive attempts, you must complete another 6 hours of driving lessons.

For anyone whose provisional licence has already expired, checking the validity of the theory test and contacting the municipality or an approved driving school is important before making the next application, because the exact documents and procedure depend on the type of provisional licence previously held.

The key point is that an expired Belgian provisional driving licence does not necessarily mean that you have to start the entire process from the beginning. Depending on your situation, you may be able to use the one-time M12 option, take the practical test through a driving school after completing 6 hours of lessons, or apply for a new regular provisional licence after the three-year waiting period.