Motorcycle licence in Belgium: steps, costs, riding school

This article covers getting a motorcycle licence in Belgium. It is relevant if you live in Belgium, including expats and cross-border workers resident there. The process has five steps: theory test, mandatory lessons at a riding school, an off-road test, a road test and collecting the licence from your municipality. In between you can opt for a practice period on a provisional licence. Below are the steps, the official fees per region and tips on choosing a school. Categories, minimum ages and test content are covered in our lesson on Belgian licence categories (in French). All information as of November 2026.

In short

• Minimum age for the practical test: A1 at 18, A2 at 20, A at 24, or 22 with two years on an A2.
• Theory: 50 questions, 41 points to pass, valid for three years.
• Riding school: at least 9 hours at an approved school, 12 hours if you go the full school route.
• Provisional licence: after passing the off-road test, valid for up to 12 months, at least one month of practice before the road test.
• Fees in Wallonia, 2026: 17 euros for theory, 42 euros for the full practical test.

One process, three regions

The steps are the same in Wallonia, Brussels and Flanders, but fees and some rules differ by region. This article follows the Walloon information and flags documented differences.

Steps to a motorcycle licence in Belgium

1. Theory test

The test is taken on a computer at an exam centre: 50 questions, at least 41 points. You can study on your own or take a theory course at a school. According to the Flemish government, you can take the theory test from 17 years and 9 months for the A1 and from 19 years and 9 months for the A2. A pass is valid for three years. New in Wallonia since 1 January 2026: to take the practical tests there, you must have passed the theory test in Wallonia. If you have held an A1 or A2 for two years, you are exempt from the theory test for the next category.

2. Mandatory lessons

Practical lessons can only be taken at an approved riding school (auto-école agréée). There are two routes:

• School route: at least 12 hours, then the full practical test with the school.
• Independent route (filière libre): at least 9 hours, then the off-road test and a practice period on a provisional licence.

With two years in the category below, the minimum is 4 hours. In Wallonia, lessons stay valid for three years. You receive a practical training certificate to bring to the test.

3. Provisional licence and practice period

On the independent route, after passing the off-road test, you apply to your municipality for the provisional licence (model 3). It is valid for up to 12 months and cannot be extended. Conditions according to AUTOSÉCURITÉ, the Walloon test operator:

• your own bike, no supervisor, "L" plate at the rear,
• no passenger,
• under 24, no riding from 10 pm to 6 am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, the eve of public holidays and public holidays,
• no riding abroad.

At least one month must pass between issue of the provisional licence and the road test. An off-road pass is valid for one year. If the provisional licence expires, a new one can only be issued after three years, but you can finish training through a school.

4. Practical test

It has two parts: manoeuvres on a private site, then a ride of about 30 minutes on public roads. In Brussels, the examiner follows you on a motorcycle and gives directions by radio. After two fails on the same part, you must take at least 2 more hours of lessons. In Wallonia, the school's bike is mandatory from the third attempt.

5. Licence from the municipality

Once you pass, you receive an application form to take to your municipality. The bank-card format licence is valid for ten years for administrative purposes, according to the Brussels region.

How much does a motorcycle licence cost in Belgium

Test fees are set officially and differ by region:

The Brussels and Flemish amounts come from the regional websites, which carry no update date (checked in November 2026). In Wallonia, the escort vehicle on the road test costs an extra 22 euros, in Brussels 19 euros. Missing documents or a no-show lead to administrative charges.

Your municipality also charges for the licence. Example: the City of Brussels lists 38 euros for the full licence. Ask your municipality, including about the provisional licence.

The biggest cost is the riding school, whose prices are not set by the authorities. For Flanders, the mobility club Touring gave an average of 50 to 70 euros per lesson hour in February 2026 and a total of 800 to 1,500 euros depending on the number of hours. That is an estimate, not a price list.

Choosing a riding school in Belgium

• Approval: only hours at an approved school count towards the minimum.
• Route: the independent route needs fewer hours, but you need your own bike and accept the provisional licence restrictions.
• Test bike: it must meet minimum specs, in Wallonia for category A for example 50 kW and over 175 kg unladen. Ask whether the school provides a suitable bike.
• Package or single lessons: get in writing what is included: hours, test accompaniment, bike hire, extra hours after a fail.

Further reading: licence categories A1, A2 and A, the A2 restriction, licence discounts from manufacturers and the Belgian motorcycle inspection when buying used. For practice questions, visit our online riding school for Belgium (in French).

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Mon guide du permis de conduire, catégorie A, edition 02/2026 (AUTOSÉCURITÉ)
• Barème des redevances, valid from 01/01/2026 (AUTOSÉCURITÉ)
• Formation à la conduite et examens pour le permis A1, A2, A (Brussels-Capital Region)
• Rijbewijs A1, A2 of A behalen: stap voor stap (Flemish government)
• Permis de conduire belge définitif (City of Brussels)
• Hoe behaal je een motorrijbewijs, wat kost het? (Touring, 06/02/2026)

Last checked: November 2026. Fees and rules may change.