Rules of conduct

Have you just arrived in Luxembourg, whether with or without your car? Driver’s licenses, traffic rules, administrative procedures for your car… Here are several things you absolutely need to know if you want to drive a car or a motorcycle in Luxembourg!

Driver’s License in Luxembourg

First of all, to drive a motor vehicle in Luxembourg (car, motorcycle, utility vehicle), you must have a valid driver’s license.

How long is a foreign driver’s license valid?

Please note: your driver’s license is not automatically valid in Luxembourg, especially if it was issued in a country outside the European Union.

In Luxembourg, you can register, exchange, or convert a foreign license. The application must be submitted to the National Motor Vehicle Agency (SNCA).

European driver’s license: registration or exchange optional

Registering or exchanging a foreign driver’s license in Luxembourg is possible for individuals who obtained their license in a member state of the European Economic Area (EEA).

By registering or exchanging their foreign driver’s license in Luxembourg, holders of a European license can quickly obtain a duplicate from the SNCA in the event of loss or theft of their driver’s license.

If you are driving with your child under supervised driving conditions, you are also required to register your foreign driver’s license in advance.

Non-European driver’s licenses: registration requirement

Holders of non-EU driver’s licenses must have their foreign license transcribed into a Luxembourg driver’s license. They have a maximum of one year from their arrival in Luxembourg to do so .

Failure to comply with this regulation results in a fine of 74 euros.

To familiarize yourself with the administrative procedures regarding driving in Luxembourg, find out all the information about a driver’s license recognized in the country, which will help you drive with peace of mind.

Apply for an international driver’s license to drive outside the EU

To drive outside the European Union—or even the European Economic Area—your driver’s license must be accompanied by an international driver’s permit, which is a certified translation of your national driver’s license.

You must apply for an international driver’s license throughthe Automobile Club de Luxembourg.

Getting Your Driver’s License in Luxembourg

What do you need to know to get your driver’s license?

You can take the driving test in either a manual or automatic transmission vehicle. Note that holders of an “automatic” driver’s license cannot drive a manual transmission vehicle.

To obtain your Class B driver’s license in Luxembourg, you must complete at least 12 hours of theory classes (6 hours if you already hold a license in another category), followed by 16 hours of practical driving lessons (10 hours if you already hold an A1 license) provided by an approved driving school.

The candidate must complete both theoretical and practical training. Once the theoretical and practical exams have been passed, a provisional license is issued for a period of two years.

To obtain a permanent driver’s license, the young driver must also complete a road safety course at the Driver Training Center located in Colmar-Berg.

Enrollment in a Driving School

In Luxembourg, obtaining a driver’s license must be done through an accredited driving school.

To enroll in a Luxembourg driving school, the applicant must:

• reside in Luxembourg,
• be of the required age (17 years old for accompanied driving)
• undergo a preliminary medical examination.

Upon registration, the applicant must also submit a number of documents:

• medical certificate of fitness
• a 45×35 mm passport photo
• copy of their ID
• copy of their legal guardian’s ID
• criminal record from the last place of residence abroad
• proof of payment of a 30-euro administrative fee, to be obtained from the Registration Office via bank transfer
• Criminal record for applicants over 18 years of age and the accompanying driver, if accompanied driving is planned
• If the applicant has resided in Luxembourg for less than 5 years, a criminal record from the country of origin is also required
• Copy of the driver’s license with a Luxembourg license number (requirement to register at least the foreign license), the accompanying driver’s ID card, and a letter of authorization from the insurance company for the vehicle used for accompanied driving
• Completed application form for a driver’s license, available for download on the guichet.lu website.

Accompanied driving is permitted from the age of 17 in Luxembourg.

Points-Based Driver’s License in Luxembourg

The points-based license was introduced in Luxembourg in 2002. It starts with 12 points. Anyone arriving in Luxembourg, even if they do not hold a Luxembourgish driver’s license, is granted 12 points on their license.

Loss of points on a driver’s license

Certain traffic violations result in a reduction of points, proportional to the offense committed. Using a cell phone while driving now costs 4 points (and a €250 fine), illegal passing costs 2 points, and a hit-and-run costs 4 points.

Learn more about the scale of driving offenses in Luxembourg

Losing all points on your driver’s license results in the outright suspension of the license.

Regaining points on your driver’s license

A driver who has lost points on their license can regain all of their points if they do not commit any offenses resulting in point deductions for a period of three consecutive years.

If they do not wish to wait three years, they may also voluntarily take an awareness course. This course allows them to regain three points once every three years, up to a maximum of 12 points. These courses are offered at the CFC Driver Training Center in Colmar-Berg.

Have you obtained your driver’s license? Take advantage of the great deals at Autofestival to buy a new car.

The Highway Code in Luxembourg

In the event of a traffic violation

Failure to comply with the Highway Code in Luxembourg (as elsewhere) may result in the loss of points, a fine, or a citation.

If a fine is issued, resident offenders are required to pay it within 45 days. Non-residents have an additional month.

The offender may contest the charges. This contestation can be made at the scene of the incident, directly with the police officer. It is also possible to go to the police station or send the contestation to the Grand Ducal Police General Directorate (National Service for Taxed Notices SNAT, L-2957 Luxembourg).

In the event of a violation, the holder of a foreign driver’s license may be required to exchange their license.

Specifics of the Highway Code

Luxembourg follows the European Highway Code. Driving is on the right side of the road, and passing is done on the left. Seat belts are mandatory for both front and rear passengers.

Some specific features of the Luxembourg Highway Code:

Drinking and Driving

The maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.05%.

Transporting Children

• A child may only sit in the front seat of the vehicle if they are at least 11 years old and 1.50 m tall.
• Regulatory Car Seats: Only seats compliant with the R129 standard (adapted to the child’s weight and equipped with the Isofix system) are now sold, but R44 seats remain safe to use.
• In Luxembourg and Germany, any child under 1.50 m must travel in an appropriate seat. In Belgium, this requirement applies up to 1.35 m, and in France up to age 10.
• Child seats for children up to 83 cm tall and 15 months old must be installed rear-facing. If placed in the front seat, the airbag must be deactivated.
• Booster seats and seats with backrests: Booster seats are acceptable for short trips, but models with backrests offer greater comfort and increased safety in the event of an accident.

The ACL regularly organizes sales of secondhand booster seats and child seats. These are, of course, inspected before sale.

Speed Limits

• In built-up areas: 20 km/h, 30 km/h, or 50 km/h depending on the zone.
• On roads: 90 km/h (or 70 km/h depending on signage).
• On highways: 130 km/h (or 110 km/h in rainy conditions).

Cyclist Traffic

• Suggested bike lanes: cyclists may use them but are not required to.
• “ contraflow” bike lanes: certain streets that are one-way for cars remain accessible to bicycles.
• Bus-only lanes: prohibited for bicycles unless otherwise indicated.

Special Traffic Zones

Shared-use zones (20 km/h): Pedestrians have the right of way and may cross at any time.

Specific Traffic Rules

• Alternate-lane system: each driver must take turns letting a vehicle change lanes to keep traffic moving. Failure to comply is subject to penalties.
• No cutting in line: in cars and on motorcycles, it is prohibited to pass between vehicles, even in traffic jams. You can review safety rules for motorcyclists with the motorcycle day offered by the ACL
• No Parking Road Markings: A rectangle with a cross indicates that parking, stopping, and extended stops are prohibited.
• Idling engine: It is prohibited to let your engine run unnecessarily.
• Emergency lane on the highway: In the event of an accident on the highway, a traffic jam, or the passage of emergency vehicles (ambulances, police, fire trucks, etc.), vehicles are asked to pull over to the side to allow emergency vehicles to pass through the middle.

Winter Regulations

• In winter, drivers are required to comply with specific winter regulations.
• Vehicles must bede-iced and cleared of snow before driving.
• Winter tires are mandatory as soon as winter conditions require them, including for visitors.

For more information on traffic controls and road conditions in Luxembourg, visit Cita.lu. There you’ll find practical information (roadwork, construction, technical issues, detours, up-to-date advice, etc.) and even the option to view road conditions via webcam to assess traffic!

Do you have your own vehicle? Check the mandatory requirements for your personal vehicle.