How to Get a Category B Driving Licence in Europe?

A Category B driving licence is the standard car licence across Europe, and for most people it is the first licence they ever hold. It lets you drive a car or van up to 3.5 tonnes, and because the European Union uses a common licence model, a Category B licence issued in any EU country is recognised in every other EU and EEA country, as well as in Switzerland. This guide explains how to get a Category B driving licence in Europe: who can apply, the common steps every country shares, how the rules differ from one country to the next, what is changing under the EU’s new driving licence rules, and what non-EU nationals need to know.

Because driving licences are issued by each country’s own authorities, the exact hours, fees and exam format vary by member state — so treat this as the European framework and check the details for your country. You can start with our driving licence in Europe and licence eligibility pages.

What is a Category B driving licence?

Category B allows you to drive vehicles with a maximum authorised mass up to 3.5 tonnes and up to eight passenger seats plus the driver, and to tow a small trailer within set limits. It is the everyday car licence, separate from the professional categories C and D, which are used for trucks and buses. Every EU country issues the same credit-card-sized plastic licence to a common European model, which is what makes it valid across borders.

Who can apply for a Category B licence?

The core requirements are similar everywhere:

• Minimum age: generally 18 for category B, although under the EU’s new rules, younger learners can drive from 17 when accompanied by an experienced driver.
• Medical and eyesight check: before your first licence,e you must show you are fit to drive; some countries allow a self-assessment instead of a full medical for car licences.
• Residence: you normally apply in the country where you habitually live, which usually means living there for at least 185 days a year.

If you are moving to Europe to live or work, organise your residence card and,  where relevant, your work permit and work visa alongside your licence application.

The common steps across Europe

Although the detail varies, almost every European country follows the same sequence:

1. Register as a learner. You apply to the local licensing authority and, in many countries, receive a learner or candidate profile that links you to your driving school and test centre.
2. Pass the medical and eyesight check. This confirms you meet the health standards to drive.
3. Take driving lessons. Most countries require training at an approved driving school, with a set minimum number of theory and practical hours.
4. Pass the theory test. A knowledge test on road rules, signs, safety and, increasingly, awareness of cyclists and pedestrians.
5. Pass the practical t—an on-road driving exam assessing your control, manoeuvres and road awareness.
6. Receive your licence. Once you pass both parts, the authority issues your EU-model driving licence.

One licence, valid across Europe

The biggest advantage of an EU Category B licence is mutual recognition. A licence issued by any EU or EEA country is valid in all the others, so you can drive throughout Europe without re-testing. If you move permanently to another EU country, you generally keep your existing licence, though you may register or exchange it locally after a period of time. Category A and B licences are typically valid for 15 years, with countries able to set a shorter period where the licence also serves as a national identity document.

What is changing under the new EU driving licence rules

The EU has modernised its licensing system under a new Driving Licence Directive, Directive (EU) 2025/2205, which member states are now transposing into national law over the coming years. The main changes include:

• A digital EU driving licence accessible on a mobile phone, recognised across the EU and usable offline, alongside the physical card.
• An EU-wide accompanied driving scheme from age 17 for category B, letting young drivers gain experience with an adult before driving alone.
• A probationary period of at least two years for novice drivers, with stricter rules and penalties.
• Mutual recognition of driving disqualifications, so a serious ban in one country can apply across the EU.
• More focus in training and testing on the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users, and the option to take your first category B test in an EU language you understand.

You can read the official rules in the EUR-Lex text of Directive (EU) 2025/2205 and on the European Commission website.

How requirements differ from country to country

While the framework is shared, the practical details are set nationally and can vary a lot. The number of compulsory lesson hours, whether a driving school is mandatory, the theory exam format and pass mark, the languages available, and the total cost all depend on the country. Some states require a minimum number of theory and practical hours at an approved school, while others are more flexible. For exact figures, read the country guide that applies to you — for example, our step-by-step guide to getting a licence in Poland shows how one country implements the EU framework in detail.

Category B for non-EU nationals and new arrivals

If you already hold a licence from outside the EU, your options depend on where it was issued. An EU or EEA licence is valid throughout Europe and does not need to be exchanged. A non-EU licence is usually valid for a limited period — often around six months — after you establish residence, after which you must either exchange it, if your country has an agreement with your host state, or take that country’s tests. Under the new EU rules, licences from certain non-EU countries with comparable road-safety standards will be recognised more widely. Always confirm the exchange rules with the licensing authority in your jurisdiction, and keep a certified translation of your licence ready.

After Category B: driving professionally

A Category B licence is the foundation for a driving career. To drive trucks or buses for a living, you build on it with higher categories such as C and CE, and add the professional qualification known as Code 95. If that is your goal, read our guides to Code 95 and the tachograph rules, and browse real driver jobs once you are qualified.

Tips for getting your licence

• Apply in the country where you habitually live, and gather your residence and identity documents early.
• Practise the official theory questions until you score consistently above the pass mark.
• Take extra practical lessons if you are a beginner; confidence on test day matters.
• Check whether your country lets you sit the theory test in your own EU language.
• If you hold a non-EU licence, check the exchange deadline before it lapses.

Get on the road

Getting a Category B licence in Europe follows a clear, shared path — medical check, training, theory and practical tests, then your EU-model card — even if the exact rules differ by country. Once you hold it, you can drive across the whole of Europe, and you have the foundation to go further. When you are ready to take your driving career forward, register in the driver section and browse current vacancies on FastDriver.eu.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Driving licence rules are set by EU law but are applied by national authorities, and requirements, fees, exam formats, and timelines vary by country and change over time. Always confirm the current rules with the official EU sources and your national licensing authority before making decisions. You can read the EU framework in the EUR-Lex text of Directive (EU) 2025/2205 and on the European Commission website. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for actions taken based on this information.