Summary
Pursuant to Article 25 of the Royal Decree of 11 May 2004 on the conditions for the approval of driving schools, certificates of professional competence for directors of driving schools and instructors are issued:
- either 1° after the passing of the examinations referred to in Chapter II of the Order of 11 May 2004 and the completion of a traineeship;
- 2° or, in accordance with the Law of 12 February 2008 establishing a new general framework for the recognition of EU professional qualifications.
Have you acquired your professional competence to direct a driving school in another EU country? You can apply to become a director of a driving school in Wallonia.
If you move to Belgium on a long-term and permanent basis, you must submit an application for the recognition of your professional qualifications and obtain the authorisation to direct a driving school referred to in Article 12(2) of the Royal Decree of 11 May 2004 on the conditions for the approval of driving schools (motor vehicles), and relevant certificates referred to in Article 24 of the aforementioned Royal Decree.
Key points
This procedure is available in French, English and German.
In detail
Applicants must prove that they speak French or German. If an applicant applying for recognition of professional qualifications cannot prove that they have the language knowledge required by Article 25 of the Law of 12 February 2008 establishing a general framework for the recognition of EU professional qualifications, namely French or German, they must do a language test to prove that they have sufficient knowledge of French or German to be a driving instructor. This test consists of an interview with the chairperson or one of the chairpersons of the examination board.
Creation of the file
‘Application for recognition and authorisation to act as a director’ is done by emailing the Road Transport Regulation Directorate of the Public Service of Wallonia via the email address formation.conduite.automobile@spw.wallonie.be attaching the following documents:
- Form AE0017 – the application form for authorisation to act as a director can be found at http://mobilite.wallonie.be/home/je-suis/une-ecolede-conduite/formulaires.html
- The following documents must be provided with an application for authorisation to direct a driving school:
- A copy of the driving licence (both sides);
- A copy of the applicant’s identity card;
- A copy of certificates of professional competence, or of evidence of formal qualifications to work as a driving instructor or a director of a driving school;
- Documents issued by the competent authorities of the Member State of origin proving fulfilment of the conditions referred to in Article 12(1), (1), (2) and (4) of the Royal Decree of 11 May 2004 on the conditions for the approval of motor vehicle driving schools: an extract from the criminal records, dated within the last three months.
- The following documents must be provided with an application for authorisation to direct a driving school:
Validation of the file
Pursuant to Article 15 of the Law of 12 February 2008 establishing a general framework for the recognition of EU professional qualifications, the SPW grants access to professionals wishing to direct a driving school, it issues the authorisation to practise referred to in Article 12(2)(4) of the Royal Decree, and the certificate referred to in Article 24 of the Royal Decree of 11 May 2004. Obtaining authorisation to direct an approved driving school.
There is no fee for applying to have professional qualifications recognised.
Authorisation to direct a driving school will be granted within one month from the date of receipt of proof that the applicant meets all the conditions required.
The Minister or the delegate may extend the period within which the decision must be given by one month. The applicant will be informed of this accordingly.
If after filing a complete application, the authorisation to direct a driving school or instruct driving is not issued within the specified time limits, this will be deemed as acceptance.
The following documents must be provided with the application for authorisation to direct a driving school:
- A copy of the driving licence (both sides); a copy of the applicant’s identity card;
- A copy of certificates of professional competence, or of evidence of formal qualifications to work as a driving instructor or a director of a driving school;
- Documents issued by the competent authorities of the Member State of origin proving fulfilment of the conditions referred to in Article 12(1), (1), (2) and (4) of the Royal Decree of 11 May 2004 on the conditions for the approval of driving schools (motor vehicles): an extract from the criminal records, dated within the last three months.
Pursuant to the laws on the Council of State of 12 January 1973, ‘an application for annulment (and possibly suspension) of the decision may be lodged with the Council of State within 60 days of the applicant’s notification or knowledge of the contested measure. This appeal is lodged by a dated and signed application sent by registered mail to the registry of the Council of State, rue de la Science 33, 1040 BRUSSELS.
Where appropriate, a complaint may be lodged with the joint mediation service of the French Community (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles) and the Walloon Region in accordance with Article 12 of the Cooperation Agreement concluded between them on 3 February 2011 on the creation of a joint mediation service, which was approved by decree of 31 March 2011. This complaint may be submitted in writing to the following address:
Médiateur de la Wallonie et de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles
Rue Lucien Namèche, n°54
B-5000 Namur