Accompanied driving

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Summary:

When it comes to obtaining the driving licence, accompanied driving (by a relative or close friend) is further training in addition to that provided by a driving school.

Target audience: Anyone training to obtain a category B driving licence in Luxembourg.

As a candidate for a category B driving licence you may choose to be an accompanied driver, which is further training in addition to that provided by a driving school.

After successfully passing the theory test and completing the practical instruction of at least 12 one-hour lessons at an approved driving school, you can continue your practical training by driving in the company of a relative or close friend. Drawing on their personal experience, this person will provide you with assistance and advice to help you develop your sense of responsibility at the wheel.

Who is concerned

All persons who:

  • wish to pass their category B driving licence; and
  • reside in Luxembourg; and
  • are at least 17 years old.

Prerequisites

As a candidate for a driving licence you must:

  • fulfil the minimum age requirements; and
  • pass the medical examination declaring you fit to drive vehicles corresponding to category B.

As an accompanying person you must:

  • be either a family member of the candidate driver or a close friend; and
  • have held a category B licence for more than 6 years; and
  • not have been convicted of traffic offences or stripped of the right to drive in the last 3 years; and
  • attended at least 2 practical lessons taught by the driving instructor with the candidate.

How to proceed

You are a candidate for the driving licence

Registration with an approved driving school

The procedure for obtaining a driving licence starts with choosing an approved driving school in Luxembourg.

The driving school completes the application for a driving licence and indicates accompanied driver status on the application. You, as the candidate, must sign the application which is then sent to the 'Driving Licence Office' of the National Society of Automotive Traffic (Société nationale de circulation automobile - SNCA), along with the following documents:

  • a recent passport photograph (taken from the front) in 45 × 35 mm format;
  • a medical certificate less than 3 months old, issued by an authorised general practitioner and/or internist in Luxembourg, certifying that you have the requisite physical and mental abilities;
  • a tax stamp of EUR 30 to be attached by the driving school;
  • a recent extract from the criminal record, if you are at least 18 at the date of the application (and a copy of the criminal record from your country of origin if you have been resident in Luxembourg for less than 5 years);
  • the signature of a guardian if you are not yet 18 at the time of application and a copy of their identity document;
  • a copy of your valid ID card/passport, to formally identify you;
  • the name and driving licence number of the accompanying driver;
  • a special certificate from the insurer: stating that any damage caused in the event of an accident during accompanied driving is covered by compulsory civil liability insurance;
  • the original version of the learner's certificate.

Candidates may change driving schools at any time during the learning period. All they need to do is present their learner's certificate at another driving school. This school will inform the Driving Licence Office of the SNCA, which will produce a new learner's certificate for the new driving school. This change will have no impact on theoretical or practical tests.

Theoretical learning and test

You must have at least 12 one-hour theory lessons from a driving school.

The theoretical topics regarding in particular the rules of the road are included in the Highway Code, published by Sécurité Routière a.s.b.l. (available at bookstores).

Theoretical learning is tested by a computerised test. It is necessary to make an appointment in order to take the theory test. When taking the test, you must present your valid ID card and learner's certificate.

The theory test may:

  • be taken in Luxembourgish, French, German, Portuguese or English at the SNCA sites in Sandweiler (Tuesdays), Esch-sur-Alzette (Thursdays) or Fridhaff (Wednesdays).
  • on request, be taken as an oral examination, accompanied by a sworn interpreter if necessary, to be held at Sandweiler, Esch-sur-Alzette or Fridhaff.

If you fail the theory test, you must repeat half of the mandatory theory hours before retaking the test. An application to resit the theory test (see 'Online services and forms') must be submitted (together with a payment of the EUR 30 tax stamp).

As regards the contents of the theory test, it now contains a common core in the case your first application for a driving licence. This means that if you wish to extend your licence to another category, you will only require to take the course and tests which focus on topics specific to that category.

Practical learning at driving school

After passing the theory test, you must also take practical lessons at a driving school, for at least 12 one-hour lessons, including 2 with your accompanying person. Then you can continue your practical training while driving under the supervision of your accompanying person.

To prepare for your practical driving licence test, you receive a learner's certificate as proof of the lessons you have taken. This certificate has a validity period of 3 years from the date it was issued. It may be issued 6 months before you reach the minimum driving age. You must keep it with you while taking theoretical and practical lessons.

As a candidate for accompanied driving you may, at any time, decide to go back to the standard driving licence learning scheme.

Accompanied driving conditions

As a candidate within the scheme of accompanied driving you:

  • cannot drive outside of Luxembourg;
  • cannot drive between 23.00 and 06.00;
  • can drive only category B cars;

your accompanying person must sit in the front of the vehicle.

Practical test

After the additional learning from accompanied driving sessions – i.e. when you feel you are ready to take the practical test – you must take at least 4 additional lessons with the driving school instructor.

If you fail the practical test, you must take at least 5 additional practical lessons.

Mandatory participation in practical training

If you successfully pass the driving test, you will be issued a category B driving licence which is valid for 24 months. This period of 24 months is a training period.

During the training period, as a trainee driver, you:

  • receive a training booklet containing 8 detachable forms to record any offences you may commit;
  • must take part in a one-day training course at the Training centre in Colmar-Berg.

That training course can be taken as from the third month following the issue of the driving licence. The certificate of participation given at the end of the course entitles you to your final driving licence.

Although you can apply for your final driving licence at any time after taking the training course in Colmar-Berg, the final licence will only be issued one month before the expiry date of the probationary licence at the earliest.

If you are an accompanying person

As an accompanying person, you must fulfil a number of conditions and are subject to several obligations.

Several documents must be submitted when applying to become an accompanying person:

  • if you have a Luxembourg driving licence:
    • a certificate for an insurance policy valid for the learning period with the names of the accompanying person and the candidate;
    • a photocopy of a valid identity document;
    • a recent copy of your criminal record;
  • if you have a foreign driving licence registered in Luxembourg:
    • a photocopy of a valid identity document;
    • a photocopy of the driving licence;
    • a certificate for an insurance policy valid for the learning period with the names of the accompanying person and the candidate;

Requirements for accompanying persons

You must:

  • be able to present the special certificate issued by the motor insurer, attesting to civil liability insurance;
  • play an important educational role. You intuitively recognise certain dangerous situations that your student is as yet unable to detect. Since awareness of real danger is undeveloped in a young driver, it is this gap that your know-how is supposed to fill, above all else;
  • prepare a written report for the instructor. Submission of this report must be recorded on the learner's certificate.

In addition, you are solely responsible in the event of an accident during accompanied driving.

Under certain conditions, accompanying persons may be replaced.

Practical test

You must draw up an assessment report, using a questionnaire made available by the Department of Mobility and Transport of the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works. You must give this report to the instructor before they dispense the last mandatory lessons to the candidate before the practical test.

Equipment conditions for vehicles used for accompanied driving

Vehicles used for accompanied driving must be cars that people with category B driving licences can drive.

To let other road users know that a car is being driven by a candidate with accompanied driving status, a special sign showing a white letter 'L' on a red background, measuring 20 × 13 cm, must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle.

Papers to be carried in the vehicle

If a vehicle is inspected by the public authorities, drivers must be able to present several documents:

  • a duly validated learner's certificate;
  • the accompanying driver's driving licence;
  • the vehicle's registration papers;
  • the special certificate issued by the insurer, valid for the learning period.

Online services and forms

Who to contact

Driver Safety Training Centre

Automobile Club of Luxembourg

Driving Licence Office

Department of Mobility and Transport

Related procedures and links

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