Serious faults in the Belgian driving test

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A single mistake can be enough to fail a driving test. In the theory exam, a serious fault costs five points out of fifty; in the practical test, some errors mean an immediate fail. Knowing them in advance tells you exactly where to focus your revision and your attention on the day.

Key points

Theory: 5 points per serious fault

You start with 50 points and must finish with at least 41. Two serious faults are therefore enough to fail.

Practical: instant fails exist

Creating danger, running a red light or failing to give way ends the practical test.

Always the same topics

Priority, speed, overtaking, vulnerable road users: serious faults cluster in a few chapters.

Theory exam: how a serious fault works

The category B theory exam has 50 questions. You start with 50 points: a minor fault costs one, a serious fault costs five, and you must end with at least 41. Nothing on screen tells you which questions count as serious.

Serious questions are those where a wrong answer would mean dangerous behaviour on the road. Failing to answer within the time limit (about fifteen seconds) counts as a mistake, with that question's weight.

Example theory exam scores
Mistakes	Points lost	Score	Result
9 minor faults	9	41/50	Pass
1 serious + 4 minor	9	41/50	Pass
2 serious faults	10	40/50	Fail
1 serious + 5 minor	10	40/50	Fail

The topics where serious faults hide

Priority: priority to the right, B1, B5 and B9 signs, traffic lights, authorised officers.
Speed: exceeding the speed limit is always treated as a serious fault.
Overtaking: solid lines, hill crests, pedestrian crossings, cyclists.
Vulnerable road users: pedestrians crossing, children, cyclists, public transport.
Motorways: merging, hard shoulder, reversing, U-turns.
Alcohol, drugs, phones and emergencies (priority vehicles, accidents).

Practical test: mistakes that mean a fail

In the practical test, the examiner assesses your driving as a whole. Some mistakes create real danger and lead to a fail without discussion, sometimes stopping the test on the spot.

Ignoring a red light, a stop sign or a give-way sign.
Failing to give way, especially to a pedestrian on a zebra crossing.
Driving above the speed limit or too fast for the conditions.
Crossing a solid white line or overtaking dangerously.
Forcing the examiner to intervene (brake, steering, warning) to prevent an accident.
Not checking blind spots before turning or changing lanes.

Even before you set off, the test can be refused if your documents or vehicle are not in order: ID, provisional licence, insurance, registration certificate and roadworthiness (MOT) certificate.

How to avoid serious faults

The best protection is targeted repetition. For the theory test, work first on the chapters where serious faults concentrate, and only book once you score above 45/50 in three mock exams in a row. During driving lessons, say your checks out loud (mirrors, blind spot, priority): they become reflexes.

Read more in our guide to the Belgian driving theory test and our page on the practical driving test.

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

How many points does a serious fault cost in the theory test?

Five points. A minor fault costs one. You need at least 41 out of 50 to pass.

How many serious faults are allowed?

One, provided you make no more than four minor faults. Two serious faults bring you down to 40/50, which is a fail.

Can you tell during the exam which questions are serious?

No. Treat every question with the same care.

Which mistakes fail the practical test?

Any mistake that creates danger: red light, stop sign, failing to give way, speeding, crossing a solid line, examiner intervention, unchecked blind spot.

What happens after failing the theory test twice?

Twelve hours of theory lessons at an approved driving school become compulsory before you can sit the exam again.