Driving in Luxembourg

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Updated 2023-10-30 13:20

If you're considering driving in Luxembourg and wondering about the requirements for your license or taking a local driving test, this article provides all the information you need for driving in the Grand Duchy.

Driving tests in Luxembourg

The Service des permis de conduire, part of the Société nationale de contrôle technique (SNCT), oversees all matters related to driving licenses in Luxembourg. The minimum age for obtaining a driving license varies based on the vehicle category. To obtain a license, applicants must enroll in a Ministry of Transport-approved driving school, where they'll complete at least 12 hours of theoretical lessons and 16 hours of practical training. The theory test, conducted by the SNCT, is mandatory and is followed by the practical test, which can be taken after completing at least 16 hours of driving lessons.

Driver's license exchange in Luxembourg

If you already possess a driver's license from a European Union or European Economic Area country, it's advisable to register it with the Société Nationale de Circulation Automobile (SNCA). To do this, you must complete a driver's license application form, available on the SNCA's Driver's License Department on the Sandweiler website. The required documents for submission are listed on the application form.

However, if your driving license was issued by a country outside the European Union or European Economic Area, you can use it for one year before needing to have it transcribed. Transcribing your driving license involves exchanging it for a Luxembourg license, and the process is the same as registering a European driving license.

Lost or stolen driver's license in Luxembourg

If you misplace your driver's license, it's stolen, or it gets damaged, you are not allowed to drive. To get a replacement, you must complete a driver's license application form, which can be submitted at any SNCA office. They will provide you with a declaration of loss immediately, and your new license will be sent to you by mail within a few days. Please note that the declaration of loss does not serve as a provisional permit.

Vehicle registration in Luxembourg

You cannot operate self-propelled vehicles and trailers on the road without license plates, and all vehicles must pass a technical inspection. The SNCT is responsible for assigning registration numbers. When moving a vehicle across borders, the owner of the imported vehicle has a six-month window to complete the registration procedures with the same organization in Sandweiler.

You can also apply for a personalized registration number by using a form available on the SNCA website. This document must be accompanied by a copy of an identity document and sent to SNCA by post, fax, or email.

Obtaining a personalized registration number comes with a “droit de chancellerie” fee. For the initial allocation, the applicant needs to pay 50 euros, and for transferring a number from a vehicle they own to another vehicle registered in their name, the fee is 24 euros.

Technical inspection in Luxembourg

Every vehicle registered in Luxembourg must undergo a technical inspection supervised by the SNCT. This inspection is mandatory when purchasing a new or used vehicle, whether within Luxembourg or abroad before it can be driven in Luxembourg. Additionally, regular roadworthiness tests are required when the current roadworthiness certificate expires. You can have your vehicle examined for this periodic technical inspection at least eight weeks before your current certificate expires.

For a periodic inspection, you must provide the following documents: a registration card or Part I or II registration certificate, the old inspection certificate or European inspection certificate for vehicles registered after January 1, 1998, an insurance certificate, and a valid tax sticker.

You can schedule an appointment for a technical inspection at one of the SNCT's three centers online through the “Book an appointment” section of the SNCT website. Alternatively, call (352) 35 72 14-222 or take your vehicle to an SNCT-approved garage.

If your vehicle is found to be not roadworthy, you are required to make the necessary repairs. During this time, a temporary certificate, valid for 21 days, is provided. This allows the vehicle to be driven from your home to a garage or the roadworthiness testing agency. After the repairs are completed, the vehicle must be returned to the inspection center for a follow-up inspection before the provisional inspection certificate expires.

Mandatory civil liability insurance in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, every vehicle owner is responsible for any material damage, physical injuries, or fatalities resulting from their vehicle's operation. It's a legal requirement for all drivers to have third-party liability insurance with an authorized insurance company. This insurance specifically covers damages inflicted on third parties. Additional coverage, such as passenger, driver, comprehensive, and legal expenses insurance, is not mandatory.

Tax on motor vehicles in Luxembourg

Vehicle tax in Luxembourg is administered by the Customs and Excise Administration. This authority is responsible for informing vehicle owners about the tax amount they need to pay. The tax must be settled before the vehicle is driven on the road and is represented by a tax sticker known as “vignette fiscale”. This sticker should be kept inside the vehicle and ready to be shown during a traffic check.