Rules of conduct

Have you just arrived in Luxembourg with or without your car? Driver's license, driving rules, administrative procedures for your car... Here are a few things you absolutely need to know if you want to drive a car or motorcycle in Luxembourg!

Driving licenses in Luxembourg

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

How long is a foreign driver's license valid?

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

In Luxembourg, it is possible to register, exchange, or transcribe a foreign license. The application must be submitted to the Société nationale de circulation automobile (SNCA).

European driver's license: optional registration or exchange

The registration or exchange of a foreign driver's license in Luxembourg is possible for people who have obtained their driver's 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, you will also be required to register your foreign driver's license in advance.

Non-European driver's licenses: mandatory conversion

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

Failure to comply with this regulation will result in a fine of €74.

To familiarize yourself with the administrative procedures for driving in Luxembourg, find out all the information you need about driving licenses recognized in the country, which will help you drive with peace of mind.

Apply for an international 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 license, i.e., a certified translation of your national driver's license.

Applications for an international license must be made to theAutomobile Club of Luxembourg.

Getting your driver's license in Luxembourg

What do you need to know to get your license?

You can take your driving test in a manual or automatic car. It is important to note that holders of an "automatic" driver's license cannot drive a manual car.

To obtain your B license in Luxembourg, you must take at least 12 theory lessons ( 6 hours if you already have a license in another category), followed by 16 practical lessons (10 hours if you already have an A1 license) at an approved driving school.

Candidates 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.

In order to obtain a full driver's license, young drivers must also take a road safety course at the Driver Training Center in Colmar-Berg.

Enrolling in a driving school

In Luxembourg, a driver's license must be obtained through an approved driving school.

To enroll in a Luxembourg driving school, candidates must:

• reside in Luxembourg,
• be of the required age (18 years old to drive a car)
• undergo a preliminary medical examination.

When registering, candidates must also present a number of documents:

• medical certificate of fitness
• 45×35 mm ID photo
• copy of their identity document
• copy of their legal guardian's identity document
• criminal record from their last place of residence abroad
• proof of payment of a €30 stamp duty, to be obtained from the Registration Administration by bank transfer
• criminal record for applicants over the age of 18 and their accompanying person, if accompanied driving is planned
• If the applicant has been residing in Luxembourg for less than 5 years, a criminal record from their country of origin is also required
• Copy of the driver's license with a Luxembourg number (requirement to register at least the foreign license), identity card of the accompanying person, and letter of authorization from the insurance company for the vehicle used for accompanied driving
• Completed application form for a driver's license, which can be downloaded from the guichet.lu website.

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

Points-based driving license in Luxembourg

The points-based license was introduced in Luxembourg in 2002. It has a total of 12 points. Anyone arriving in Luxembourg, even if they do not have a Luxembourg driver's license, has a credit of 12 points on their driver's license.

Loss of points on your driver's license

Certain offenses result in a reduction in the number of points, proportional to the offense committed. Using a phone while driving now costs 4 points (and a $250 fine), illegal overtaking costs 2 points, and hit-and-run offenses cost 4 points.

Find out more about the scale of driving offenses in Luxembourg

The total loss of points on your driver's license results in the outright suspension of your license.

Recovering points on your driver's license

A driver who has lost points on their license can recover all of their points if they do not commit any offenses that result in point losses for three consecutive years.

If they do not want to wait three years, they can also voluntarily take an awareness course. This course allows them to recover three points once every three years, up to a limit of 12 points. These courses are given at the CFC Driver Training Center in Colmar-Berg.

Have you obtained your driver's license? Take advantage of the favorable conditions offered by Autofestival to purchase 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 points being deducted, a fine, or a ticket.

In the event of a fine, residents are required to pay it within a maximum of 45 days. Non-residents have an additional month to pay.

The offender may contest the facts. This contestation can be made at the place of the offense, directly to the police officer. It is also possible to go to the police station or send the contestation to the Grand Ducal Police Headquarters (Service national des avertissements taxés SNAT, L-2957 Luxembourg).

In the event of an offense, the holder of a foreign driver's license may be required to exchange their driver's license.

Special features of the highway code

Luxembourg applies the European traffic regulations. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road and overtaking is on the left. Seat belts are compulsory in both the front and rear of the vehicle.

Some specific features of Luxembourg's traffic regulations:

Drinking and driving

The maximum blood alcohol level permitted is 0.05%.

Transporting children

• Children may only sit in the front seat of a vehicle if they are aged 11 or over and at least 1.50 m tall.
• Regulatory car seats: only seats that comply with the R129 standard (adapted to the child's weight and equipped with the Isofix system) are now sold, but R44 seats can still be used safely.
• In Luxembourg and Germany, all children under 1.50 m must travel in an appropriate seat. In Belgium, this requirement applies to children up to 1.35 m, and in France to children up to 10 years old.
• Child seats for children up to 83 cm tall and 15 months old must be installed facing backwards. If placed in the front, the airbag must be deactivated.
• Booster seats and seats with backrests: booster seats are acceptable for short journeys, but models with backrests offer greater comfort and increased safety in the event of an accident.

The ACL regularly organizes sales of second-hand booster seats and child seats. These are, of course, checked before sale.

Speed limits

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

Cyclists

• Recommended bike lanes: cyclists may use them but are not required to.
• Counterflow cycling zones: certain streets that are closed to cars remain accessible to bicycles.
• Bus lanes: closed to bicycles unless otherwise indicated.

Special traffic zones

Shared zones (20 km/h): pedestrians have absolute priority and may cross at any time.

Specific traffic rules

• Zipper merge system: each driver must alternately let a vehicle changing lanes pass in order to keep traffic flowing. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine.
• No passing in traffic jams: cars and motorcycles are not allowed to pass between vehicles, even in traffic jams. You can review the safety rules for motorcyclists with the motorcycle day offered by the ACL
• No parking road markings: a rectangle with a cross means no parking, stopping, or prolonged stopping.
• Engine off: it is prohibited to leave your engine running 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 in the middle.

Winter regulations

• In winter, motorists are required to comply with specific winter regulations.
• Vehicles must bedefrosted and cleared of snow before setting off.
• Winter tires are mandatory as soon as winter conditions require them, including for visitors.

For more information on traffic controls and conditions on Luxembourg roads, visit Cita.lu. You will find practical information (roadworks, construction, technical issues, detours, news and advice, etc.) and even the option to view roads via webcam to assess traffic conditions!

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