How do I get my driving licence in Luxembourg ?

Although the number of applicants for a driving licence has stagnated in recent years - there were 15,765 in 2019 compared with 15,901 in 2015 -, the possession of this precious sesame remains a must for many Luxembourg residents. But how does it work in the Grand-Duchy? What steps do you have to follow?

First of all, you have to know that there are different categories of driving licence further divided into subcategories:

- AM (mopeds and light quadricycles),

- A1 (light motorcycles with a power not exceeding 15 kW),

- A2 (motorcycles with a maximum power of 35 kW),

- A (all motorcycles)

- B (cars)

- C (large vehicles, trucks and goods vehicles)

- D-F: buses and tractors.

Each (sub-)category has its age minimum. It would be a bit long to go through it all. So, to make it simple, you must be at least:

- 16 years old for a moped, a light motorcycle or a tractor (AM, A1 and F),

- 18 years old for motorcycles with a maximum power of 35 kW and cars (B and C),

- 20 years for motorcycles (A),

- 24 years old for buses and coaches (D).

In addition to the minimum age requirement, you must meet two other conditions. You must live in Luxembourg and undergo a medical examination to be declared fit to drive. You will not be able to apply for a driving licence if you suffer from arrhythmia, angina, alcohol or drug addiction.

Theory test

To get your driving licence, you must register with an in the Grand-Duchy. The school will send your licence application with all the documents required (medical certificate, recent extract of your criminal record, tax stamp of EUR 30, etc.) to the Driving Licence Office of the SNCA (National Society of Automotive Traffic). You can choose any driving school you wish and change at any time.

There are two tests to getting your driving licence: the theory and practical tests. Both can be taken in English. To apply for the theory test, you must have taken a certain number of lessons depending on the category of vehicle: 12 one-hour lessons for categories A, A1, AM, B and F or 6 hours for categories A, A2 and B if you already have a licence in another category. Once you have the number of compulsory theory lessons, you can pass the multiple-choice test on a computer in one of the SNCA testing centres, in Sandweiler, Esch-sur-Alzette or Diekirch. To be sure that you know all the basic rules of the Highway Code, you can simulate on the SNCA website. This test consists of 20 questions drawn at random from the set of questions in category B. If you fail the test in one of the SNCA testing centres, you will have to retake half of the required instruction hours, submit a readmission application and purchase a EUR 30 tax stamp from the driving school.

Practical test

To pass the practical test and finally get your driving licence, you need to take another series of lessons: 16 one-hour lessons for categories A, A1 and B or 10 one-hour lessons for category A2 if you already have an A1 licence.

If you apply for a B licence, you can also choose accompanied driving from 17. After you have passed the theory exam and taken at least 12 one-hour lessons at a driving school, you can continue your practical training while driving under the supervision of a family member or a friend who has had a B licence for at least 6 years. Before passing the practical test, you have to retake 4 one-hour lessons with the driving instructor.

You can apply as many times as necessary for the practical exam in one of the test centres. Each time you fail, you need to take at least 8 one-hour practical lessons and pay EUR 100 again.

Probationary period

You have successfully passed the practical exam? Congratulations! You will receive in a few days a probationary driving licence valid for two years. During this probationary period, you must take at the Colmar-Berg driver training centre (Centre de formation pour conducteurs). If you want to take the course in English, you must notify the centre when booking the appointment. You cannot take the training sooner than three months after the first issue of the licence.

Licence validity

After the two years probationary period, you are entitled to hold your final licence. Its validity depends on its category. If you hold a licence belonging to A, B and F categories, you must renew it every ten years until you reach the age of 70. The validity of your licence is reduced to 5 years at the age of 70 and 2 years at the age of 80. From the age of 60, you must provide a medical certificate with your application form for driving licence renewal.

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Source: Statec

You will find more details on the different categories and their age requirements by clicking (in French) or consulting of guichet.lu (in English).

You can find the complete list of practical test centres here. Your approved driving school will make the appointment for you.