From October 1, 2023, the practical exam for the driving license in category B in Flanders will become a little more challenging. From then on, candidates must not only prove that they know the traffic rules and can apply them, but also that they can use a navigation system skillfully. This news follows a study by Hasselt University, which showed the importance of this skill for the modern driver.

The good news is that you are not required to purchase an expensive navigation system for the exam. You may use your own GPS, or a free navigation app such as Waze or Google Maps on your smartphone. The only requirement is that the device must be in a special holder during the exam.

Don't have your own navigation system? Don't worry, the examiner will provide you with a standard model. This model is used uniformly in all Flemish examination centers to guarantee a fair assessment.

The practical exam now not only requires that you can operate the navigation device smoothly and correctly, but also that you are able to make independent decisions based on the instructions. It is therefore advisable to spend sufficient time on this new requirement during your driving training and practice period.

The instructions of the navigation system must be in Dutch, so that the examiner can follow you. If you need an interpreter for the exam, they will translate the Dutch instructions into French, German or English, depending on your preference.

These new regulations emphasize the growing importance of technology in everyday traffic and better prepare new drivers for the realities of modern driving. Some see it as a logical step in an increasingly digitalized world, while others fear it could pose an additional barrier for those who are not technologically savvy or do not have access to modern smartphones.