The driving theory test in Brussels
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In the Brussels-Capital Region, the driving theory test is held at two approved centres, in Anderlecht and in Evere (often listed as Schaerbeek). It costs €19, is taken in French or Dutch, and you can take it in English with an interpreter appointed by the centre for an extra €50. You need 41 out of 50 to pass.
Test yourself: 5 questions on this topic
- How many points do you need to pass the category B theory test? 35/50 / 41/50 / 45/50. Correct answer: 41/50. The pass mark is 41 out of 50, in every Region and in every language.
- How many points does a serious mistake cost in the theory test? 5 points / 1 point / 3 points. Correct answer: 5 points. A serious mistake costs 5 points, so two serious mistakes alone lead to a fail.
- You have failed the theory test twice in a row. What must you do before a third attempt? Wait six months / Pay a double fee / Follow 12 hours of lessons at an approved driving school. Correct answer: Follow 12 hours of lessons at an approved driving school. After two successive failures, 12 hours of theory lessons at an approved driving school are compulsory.
- For how long does a theory test pass remain valid? 3 years / 1 year / 5 years. Correct answer: 3 years. The certificate is valid for three years; the practical test must be passed within that period.
- Unless signs say otherwise, what is the speed limit in Brussels built-up areas? 50 km/h / 40 km/h / 30 km/h. Correct answer: 30 km/h. Since 1 January 2021, 30 km/h is the default limit in built-up areas of the Brussels-Capital Region.
Key points
2 centres
Anderlecht (rue du Labeur) and Evere (rue Colonel Bourg), both by appointment only.
€19 + €50 for English
The fee is €19; an English, German or sign-language interpreter costs €50 more.
41/50 to pass
50 questions, about 15 seconds each; a serious mistake costs 5 points.
Where to take the theory test in Brussels
Brussels has two approved exam centres, run by two different operators. Both deliver the same official GOCA-format test; what differs is the booking system.
| Centre | Address | Operator | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderlecht | Rue du Labeur 3/9, 1070 Anderlecht | Sécurité Automobile | Online booking portal of the operator |
| Evere (Schaerbeek) | Rue Colonel Bourg 118, 1140 Evere | Autocontrôle Technique (ACT) | Online booking on the operator's exam site |
You do not have to sit the test where you live: any approved centre in Belgium accepts you. But if you want to take the practical test in Brussels, your theory test must have been passed in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Driving theory test in Brussels in English
The Brussels Region states that the test itself is taken in French or Dutch. For English, German or sign language, the centre appoints an interpreter and charges €50 on top of the fee. These special sessions are by appointment only, so ask for them when you book.
With an interpreter, the question is translated aloud while the clock keeps running. That is why many expats prefer to train in English beforehand on questions written for the Belgian code. Our page on the Belgian theory test in English compares the Brussels arrangement with the audio version used in Flanders (€43 extra) and the centres offering English in Wallonia.
Book early: interpreter sessions are scheduled less often than standard ones, and the language you choose at booking is the one you will sit.
Fees, format and pass mark
Two serious mistakes alone take you down to 40/50, which is a fail. The 12-hour rule is costly: training followed before the two failures does not count, so it pays to be ready the first time.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | €19 per attempt |
| Interpreter (English, German, sign language) | +€50, appointed by the centre |
| Questions | 50 multiple-choice questions on a computer |
| Time | Up to about 15 seconds per question, around 30 minutes |
| Pass mark | 41/50; a mistake costs 1 point, a serious mistake 5 |
| Minimum age | 17 |
| Validity of a pass | 3 years |
| After two failures | 12 hours of lessons at an approved driving school |
How to book your Brussels theory test
The result is given on the spot. If you fail, you can book a new slot, but each attempt costs the €19 fee again, plus €50 each time you need an interpreter. That is the strongest argument for booking only once your mock exam scores are stable.
- Choose your centre: Anderlecht or Evere, both by appointment only.
- Book online on the operator's booking site; select an interpreter session if you need English.
- Bring a valid identity document; check our list of what to bring to the theory test.
- Arrive early: a late candidate may lose the slot and the fee.
- Read our general guide to booking a theory exam appointment for tips on finding a date quickly.
After the theory test: the Brussels path to a licence
Once you pass, you receive a certificate valid for three years and can apply for a provisional licence at your commune. In Brussels, you then choose a learning path: with a guide only (at least nine months), a mix of 14 hours of driving school and six months with a guide, 20 hours of driving school and three months of practice, or 30 hours of driving school with direct access to the test.
The practical test in Brussels costs €46 and starts with a hazard perception test of five video sequences. Everything is detailed on the official Brussels Region page and in our guide to the practical driving test.
Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia: where should you sit it?
Any approved centre in Belgium accepts candidates from anywhere, so living in Brussels does not oblige you to sit the theory test there. The choice matters for two reasons: the language arrangements, and where you want to take the practical test afterwards.
| Region | Fee | English |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | €19 | Interpreter, +€50 |
| Flanders | €19 | Audio version, +€43 |
| Wallonia | €17 | At Couillet and Wandre, by appointment |
Planning to take the practical test in Brussels? Then sit the theory test in Brussels too: the Region requires a theory pass obtained in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Brussels rules that catch candidates out
None of these rules are tested differently in Brussels: the question bank is the same everywhere. But candidates who drive daily in the capital tend to answer from habit rather than from the code, and the exam rewards the code.
- 30 km/h by default in built-up areas of the Region since 2021: 50 km/h only where signs allow it.
- Priority to the right applies at every junction without signs or lights, even in dense traffic.
- Bus lanes, cycle paths and pedestrian zones come up often in questions set in town.
- The low emission zone covers the whole Region: see low emission zones in Belgium.
Already hold a foreign licence?
Before you book anything, check whether you can simply exchange it: EU licences stay valid, and many non-EU licences can be exchanged at your commune within 185 days of registration. See exchanging a driving licence in Belgium.
If you do need the test, practise in exam conditions: 50 questions, the same scoring and the same timer in our theory exam simulation. Aim for three mock exams in a row above 45/50 before booking.
Practise this topic with real exam questions
Reading a rule is not enough: in the Belgian theory exam every question is asked on a photo of a real traffic situation, with answers that look deliberately alike. On PermisBelges, every topic of the highway code is practised with questions in the GOCA exam format, each one corrected and explained.
A free account gives access to the lessons, the free mock exams and progress tracking. Premium unlocks every exam simulation, detailed statistics per topic and targeted revision of your mistakes until exam day.
Ready to test yourself? Create your free account in thirty seconds, or discover Premium to practise without limits.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I take the driving theory test in Brussels?
At the two approved centres of the Brussels-Capital Region: Anderlecht (rue du Labeur 3/9) and Evere (rue Colonel Bourg 118), both by appointment.
Can I take the Brussels driving theory test in English?
Yes, with an interpreter appointed by the centre, for €50 on top of the €19 fee. Book an interpreter session in advance.
How much is the theory test in Brussels?
€19 per attempt, plus €50 if you need an English, German or sign-language interpreter.
How many questions are there and what is the pass mark?
50 questions; you need 41/50. A minor mistake costs 1 point, a serious mistake 5 points.
Can I take the theory test in Flanders and the practical test in Brussels?
No. To take the practical test in Brussels, you must have passed your theory test in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Further reading
- The theory test in English
- Anderlecht exam centre
- Evere exam centre
- Free Belgian theory test
- The international driving permit in Belgium
- Stopping and parking rules in Belgium
- The best Belgian driving theory test websites and apps in 2026
- Automatic driving licence in Belgium: code 78 and switching to manual
- Theory exam simulation
- The Belgian highway code
- Plans and pricing