Hazard Perception Test in Belgium (Licence B)
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The hazard perception test measures whether you can spot a danger on the road before it becomes a crash. You watch short clips filmed from a car and flag each hazard the moment you notice it. The test is compulsory for a category B licence in all three Belgian regions, but it is not organised the same way everywhere: a separate test in Wallonia, taken on the day of the practical exam in Brussels and Flanders.
The essentials in one minute
Five clips, ten hazards
Two practice clips that do not count, then five official clips of about thirty seconds. Ten hazards in total, on Belgian roads, filmed from the driver's seat.
Six out of ten to pass
The pass mark is 6 out of 10. Below that the test has to be retaken, and two failures trigger compulsory training before the next attempt.
Different in each region
In Wallonia it is a separate test you book and pay for. In Brussels and Flanders it is taken on the day of the practical exam and included in its fee.
What the test looks like
You sit in front of a screen. Two practice clips let you get the action right, then five official clips run one after the other. Each lasts around thirty seconds and contains one or more hazards, ten in total. You click on screen where the hazard is, as soon as you notice it. Both the position and the timing are recorded, and a point is awarded only when both are right.
The click format has become the standard in most centres, Brussels included. A few centres may still ask questions after each clip; it is worth one question when you book, because it changes how you should prepare.
In short: a video test where you click on road hazards as you notice them. Five official clips, ten hazards, at least 6 out of 10 to pass, compulsory for a category B licence in Belgium.
Cost and validity by region
Fees and validity periods are a regional matter and are revised regularly. The figures below are orders of magnitude; the only binding number is the one your centre quotes when you book.
| Region | When | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallonia | Separate test, by appointment | About 17 EUR | 3 years |
| Brussels | On the day of the practical exam | Included in the practical fee | About 1 year |
| Flanders | On the day of the practical exam | Included in the practical fee | 3 years |
The three mistakes that cost most
None of them has anything to do with knowing the rules.
- Clicking too early. Seeing a school and clicking straight away, before any child has moved. The click falls outside the detection window and is lost.
- Tunnel vision. Fixing on the middle of the road while most hazards arrive from the sides: pavement, driveway, parked line of cars.
- Clicking just in case. Your budget of clicks equals the number of hazards. Every wasted click is one chance fewer on a real one.
If you fail
You can retake it, and the rest of your file stands: passing the theory exam remains valid for its own period. The waiting time depends on the centre. After two failures, training becomes compulsory before the next attempt: around three hours in Wallonia and Flanders, six hours in Brussels.
The test in figures
- 5 — official clips
- 10 — hazards
- 6/10 — to pass
- 10-15 min — duration
How to pass the hazard perception test
- Understand what is measured Not your knowledge of the Highway Code, but your eyes. You are asked to see a danger coming, not to quote a rule.
- Practise on video The action cannot be learned from a book. Twenty minutes of real footage teaches more than an hour of theory about perception.
- Review your missed hazards A missed hazard points at a blind spot in your attention: the hidden pedestrian, the door about to open, the bus about to pull away. They come from the same few families.
- Check your region's rules Format, fee and validity differ between Wallonia, Brussels and Flanders. Confirm with your GOCA centre.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hazard perception test in Belgium?
A computer-based test where you spot road hazards in video clips. It is required to obtain a category B driving licence in Belgium.
Is the risk perception test mandatory?
Yes, for the category B licence in all three regions, though how it is organised differs by region.
How much does the test cost?
In Wallonia the separate test costs about 17 euros. In Brussels and Flanders it is included in the practical exam fee. Confirm with your GOCA centre.
What is the passing score?
You need at least 6 out of 10.
Can I practise online for free?
Yes. Free simulations run with no account and no card, with full marking at the end.
Can I take the test in English?
The test is visual: you click on hazards rather than reading questions, so the language matters far less than for the theory exam. Instructions are given in the centre's working languages; ask your GOCA centre when you book.