Getting a Driving Licence in Luxembourg

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Getting a Driving Licence in Luxembourg

Drivers in Luxembourg must be 18 years or older and hold a valid driving permit (permis de conduire). The licence must be carried on all journeys and must be presented to an official on demand. Copies are not accepted. Driver's licences in Luxembourg are issued and managed by the Société Nationale de Contrôle Technique (SNCT).

• Société Nationale de Contrôle Technique (SNCT)
  Département des Transports
  Service des Permis de Conduire
  At: 2A rue Kalchesbruck, L-1852 Luxembourg
  Tel: 35 72 14 -713 / 35 72 14 -716 / 35 72 14 -720
  Open: Monday to Friday 08:00-17:00
  Website 

There are six main categories of driving licence (these are further divided into sub categories):

• Category A licence: All motor bikes
• Category B: Cars
• Category C: Lorries/trucks and goods vehicles
• Category D: Buses
• Category E: All trailers
• Category F: Tractors
• For further details on the categories: Click here (in French)

To qualify for any of these licences, a driver must pass two tests:

1. a theory test
2. a road/driving test

Driving practice can only begin once the theory test is successfully completed.

Applying for a Luxembourg Driving Licence

All driver training and preparation must be done through a SNCT-registered driving school. An application for a driving licence (demande en obtention d'un permis de conduire or Antrag zur Erlangung eines Führerscheins) for any licence category is made when registering with the driving school who sends the signed application to the SNCT.

The following is required for application:

• Medical certificate no more than three months old, provided by a licenced doctor
• ID photograph
• Certificate of residence (certificat de résidence) no more than one month old, issued by the town hall (commune)
• Copy of the affidavit (extrait de casier judiciaire) issued by the police or from the country of origin if residency period in Luxembourg is under than five years
• Tax stamp (Timbre de Chancellerie) 
• The driving school registration fee
• An application form can be downloaded: Click here

To apply for a category A bike driving licence, the driver must be at least 16 years of age. To apply for a category B car driving licence, the driver must be at least 17.5 years old. Application forms must be signed by a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18.

Theory and practical tests

Both theory and practical exams can be taken in English. 

The theory course includes at least 12 one-hour lessons taught at the driving school (this can be reduced in certain circumstances). The applicant learns the Luxembourg Code de la Route (Highway code). Documents and tests are provided by the driving school, however, there are also sample tests available online.

• To see the Code de la Route (in French): Click here
• A sample test is available online in English: Click here

Practical test 

Once the theory test is passed, practical training begins. This consists of a minimum of 16 hours driving with an instructor, followed by a one-hour long practical examination (the instructor is present).

A category B learner-driver may practice driving a car from the age of 17, if accompanied by a family member or friend who has had their category B licence over six years and does not have any penalties associated with it.

• Full details on accompanied driving (Conduite accompagnée) from the Automobile Club de Luxembourg (ACL): Click here (in French)

Once the learner has successfully completed the practical test, the licence is issued and the new driver leaves with their driving permit. This is a probationary licence, valid for two years. There are restrictions for probationary drivers and the legal alcohol limit is lower.

During this probationary period a new driver must take an obligatory driver training course at the Colmar-Berg driver training centre, the Centre de Formation pour Conducteurs (CFC). The tests may be taken in English (notify the centre when booking the appointment). The course must be taken within two years of acquiring the driving licence but no sooner than three months (or when the driver has at least 3,000 Km driving experience) after the first issue of the licence.

• Further information from the CFC in English: Click here
• Centre de Formation pour Conducteurs (CFC)
  At: Colmar-Berg, between the N7/E420 and the A7 
  Tel: 85 82 85-1 (closed Mondays)
  Website
• More information (in French) from the Luxembourg Citizens' Portal: Click here

Failure

Exams may be taken as often as required, provided the registration fee is paid and a minimum of additional training lessons are taken.

Licence Validity and Renewal

Licences types A, B and F are valid until the holder reaches the age of 60. From 2010, this will be brought back to 50. From that age, the licence can be renewed for 10 years; thereafter for five, then three years, then annually. The following documents are required to renew a licence (art 78 code):

• Medical certificate no more than three months old, provided by a licenced doctor
• Recent ID photograph
• Tax stamp (Timbre de Chancellerie)

From 2010 the Tax stamp will no longer be required and it will be possible to submit a number of photographs valid for each renewal.

The Licence Points System

Luxembourg operates a penalty points system. Each driver (including drivers with foreign-issued driving licences) start with an allocation of 12 points. The points are removed from this balance for infractions committed. If all points are lost, the licence is suspended for a 12-month period.

The most common offences include:

• 1 point: not wearing a safety belt 
• 2 points: driving slightly over the speed limit, driving while slightly over the alcohol limit (under 0.8%), not observing a stop sign 
• 4 points: driving without a valid licence, without insurance or driving over the alcohol limit (up to 1.2%) or speed limit, hit and run
• 6 points: accident involving the death of a person

To recover points

• Drivers must not commit any infraction for a period of three years starting from the last infraction, in which case all points may be recovered
• Drivers may follow a one-day course at the official driving centre in Colmar-Berg and recover three points (only possible once every three years)
• Drivers may follow a five-day course at the official driving centre in Colmar-Berg if the driving licence has been suspended

The Colmar-Berg driver training centre, Centre de Formation pour Conducteurs (CFC), has further details in English:

• CFC website

Related Information

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Driving in Luxembourg
• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Exchanging a Driving Licence for a Luxembourg Licence
• Information from the Automobile Club de Luxembourg

0910WW