• Scope
• Payments
• Right of withdrawal
• Cancellation
• Learner's obligations
• Responsibility of VAB Driving School
• Certificate of competence and other certificates
• Disputes
• Privacy
• Special terms and conditions
• Special terms and conditions of return training
• Special terms and conditions of training moment

Article 1 - Scope

1.1. By signing a quotation from VAB Driving School, or by enrolling and/or making a reservation online via the VAB Driving School website, the learner driver acknowledges to have read and to accept the general terms and conditions of VAB Driving School.

1.2. These General Terms and Conditions and the Special Terms and Conditions applicable to the selected course shall be considered as one integral set of conditions, which the learner driver also acknowledges to have read and accepted.

Article 2 - Payments

2.1. All lessons and driving test reservations must be paid in full at the time of enrolment, either by bank card, in cash or with Payconic at our offices. 

2.2. Payment methods
Bookings made via booking.vabrijschool.be can only be paid for electronically. Payments by bank transfer are not possible. You can choose from the following payment methods:
   • Mastercard
   • Visa
   • KBC Online
   • CBC Online
   • Bancontact / Mister Cash
Once you have made the payment, it will be immediately debited from your payment card to a VAB NV account number.

2.3. Regarding practical lessons: if the learner does not get behind the wheel during trips on the public highway, those trips will not be taken into account when calculating the hours of lessons. However, when the instructor demonstrates a manoeuvre, this is considered part of the lesson and does not fall under the application of this rule. No other services than those for which the contract specifies a rate may be charged. (RD 11/04/2004 _ Accreditation of driving schools. Article 23, §7)

2.4. Non-payment or late payment of the invoice shall give rise, by law and without prior notice of default, to a fixed increase of 10% of the amount due, with a minimum of 50.00 euros, in addition to statutory default interest. Late payment shall also void the guarantee of appointments made and lessons scheduled.

2.5. Unless specified otherwise, all invoices shall be payable no later than 10 business days prior to the start of the scheduled training. Failure to pay an invoice by this due date shall render all outstanding amounts immediately due and payable, irrespective of pre-authorised payment terms.

2.6. Please refer to the Special Terms and Conditions for the applicable fees. All fees shall be indexed annually.

Article 3 - Right of withdrawal

3.1. In case of online purchase, the learner driver has the right to revoke the agreement within a period of 14 days without stipulating reasons.

3.2. The withdrawal period shall expire 14 days after the day of the conclusion of the agreement.

3.3. To exercise the right of withdrawal, the learner driver shall inform VAB Driving School, Oostjachtpark 13, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, 03 780 30 30, of his/her decision to withdraw from the agreement in an unequivocal statement sent by e-mail to info@vabrijschool.be. The learner driver can, but is not obliged to, use the attached withdrawal form template for this purpose and submit it to us via e-mail. 

3.4. To comply with the withdrawal period, all the learner driver needs to do is to send the communication stating that he/she is exercising his/her right of withdrawal before expiry of the withdrawal period.

3.5. Consequences of withdrawal:

If the learner driver withdraws from the agreement, he/she shall be refunded by VAB Driving School for any payments made up to that point, without delay and in any case no later than 14 days of VAB Driving School having been notified of his/her decision to withdraw from the agreement. VAB Driving School shall refund the learner driver using the same means of payment the learner driver used for the original transaction, unless the learner driver has specifically agreed otherwise. In any case, the learner driver shall not be charged for such refunds.

This shall not apply if the service was partially performed within 14 days of the conclusion of the agreement. If a learner driver exercises the right of withdrawal after the relevant service has been partially performed, VAB Driving School shall refund the learner driver an amount proportional to what had not been performed at the time the learner driver notified VAB Driving School that he/she was exercising his/her right of withdrawal, pro rata to the full implementation of the agreement. Refunds from VAB Driving School shall be made within 14 days. For example, if the learner driver has purchased a package of five driving lessons the first lesson of which took place within the 14 day period and the learner driver invokes his/her right to withdraw from the remaining four lessons, VAB Driving School shall refund the four lessons (including administration fee) the learner driver did not use within 14 days.

The learner driver acknowledges that he/she shall lose his/her right of withdrawal completely once the service in question has been performed in full. This is the case, for example, when a learner driver completes a learning session within 14 days of ordering the session. In such cases the learner driver shall not be able to withdraw from the agreement.

Article 4 - Cancellation

4.1. The cancellation or rescheduling of driving lessons and theory lessons in categories A, AM and B up to 5 working days (*) and driving test support up to 5 working days in advance, shall only be subject to an administrative charge. In the event of cancellation or rescheduling at shorter notice the full tuition fee shall be due.

4.2. Driving lessons in categories BE, C, CE, D and further training can be cancelled free of charge up to 10 working days before the start of the course, unless stated otherwise. In the event of cancellation between 10 and 5 working days before the start of the course, 50% of the agreed price shall be charged.

4.3. Lessons as part of the Safe Drivers Plan and all other lessons that are not official driving lessons can be cancelled free of charge up to 3 weeks before the start of the course, unless stated otherwise. In the event of cancellation between the third and the last week before the start of the course, 50% of the agreed price shall be charged. In the event of cancellation within 7 days of the start of the course, 100% of the agreed price shall be charged. In case of cancellation at shorter notice, the full tuition fee is due.

4.4. Exception:
If a learner driver, due to a substantiated instance of force majeure (for example: illness with a doctor’s certificate) can no longer attend the arranged appointment, he/she shall be able to reschedule the appointment free of charge. If a suitable time cannot be arranged within a reasonable period of time, VAB Driving School shall refund the learner driver the full amount paid (including administration fee). However, the driving test fees shall always be due in full as VAB Driving School remains liable and has to pay these fees to the test centre. In such cases the learner driver must notify VAB Driving School as soon as possible. Illness shall also be attested by a doctor’s certificate submitted before or at the latest on the day of the arranged appointment. Later certificates shall not be accepted.

4.5. VAB Driving School shall be entitled to reschedule lessons and training in the event of force majeure (illness of the instructor, breakdown of the vehicle, weather conditions, additional tests etc.). In such cases a new time for the lesson or training shall be scheduled in consultation with the learner driver. If a suitable time cannot be found within a reasonable period of time, VAB Driving School shall refund the learner driver the full amount paid (including administration fee). Participants shall be notified as soon as possible, by e-mail or telephone.

(*) Working days shall refer to all days of a normal working week, i.e. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Article 5 - Obligations of learner drivers/candidates

5.1. Training courses (including extra lessons) can only be booked on the website www.vab.be/en/driving-school or at our offices. Booking directly with the instructor is not permitted.

5.2. The learner driver shall disclose any relevant information regarding his/her provisional driving licence (i.e. theoretical test, number of test attempts and whether or not he/she previously held a provisional driving licence) or, where applicable, code 95 on his/her driving licence, to VAB Driving School at the time of enrolment.

5.3. If the learner driver does not show up for the driving test or shows up late for reasons attributable to him/her, he/she shall have to pay all costs associated with the practical test (test support and test centre surcharge).

5.4. If the driving test cannot take place because the learner was unable to submit correct and valid documents (please refer to the Special Terms and Conditions in this respect), he/she shall have to pay all costs associated with the practical test (test support and test centre surcharge).

5.5. Lesson times shall be agreed in consultation between the learner driver and the driving school. Appointments must be kept punctually. The learner is required to show up for lessons on time. If the learner driver arrives 30 minutes late for a practical B training session for which a legal certificate is issued, one additional hour shall have to be attended to obtain the legal certificate.

5.6. If the learner driver arrives more than 15 minutes late for a Code 95 lesson or for a theory lesson regardless of which category, the instructor shall be obliged to bar the learner driver from the course. In such cases the learner driver shall not be entitled to a refund or substitute training. Leaving a lesson early shall be considered absence. In such cases no certificate shall be issued or no registration shall be made in CRONOS.

5.7. Smoking is prohibited in driving school vehicles. Driving in high-heeled shoes shall not be allowed. If the lesson cannot take place or is delayed as a result of this, the tuition fees shall still be charged.

5.8. Learner drivers shall refrain from drug or alcohol use during the lessons. Suspected use of alcohol and/or drugs at the start or during theory or practical lessons may give rise to mandatory withdrawal from the course. In such cases the full tuition fee shall remain due. If necessary, VAB Driving School shall report such facts to the MOW.

5.9. During the driving test, the learner driver shall be personally responsible for traffic violations and any resulting fines; in such cases the instructor cannot intervene without it negatively affecting the driving test evaluation.

5.10. During a Code 95 practical lesson with the learner driver’s own vehicle, the learner driver shall be personally responsible for traffic violations and any resulting fines.

Article 6 - VAB Driving School liability

6.1. VAB Driving School shall not be liable if the learner driver is barred from the test centre due to administrative problems or incorrect information. In the event of a Code 95 course, VAB Driving School shall not be liable for any consequences if it subsequently turns out that the learner driver is not in possession of Code 95.

6.2. VAB Driving School shall not be liable for changes in training or driving test regulations due to changes in the law.

6.3. VAB Driving School makes every effort to ensure that the information provided is complete and accurate. Despite these efforts, inaccuracies may still occur. VAB Driving School shall not be liable for direct or indirect damage arising from the use of the information provided. This exclusion of liability shall not apply to cases of intent or gross negligence on the part of VAB Driving School or its appointees or agents, or, except in cases of force majeure, for the non-performance of an obligation constituting one of the main elements of the agreement. Errors or inaccuracies can always be reported in writing or by e-mail.

6.4. Every VAB Driving School vehicle is covered by an insurance policy for:
- Third-party liability of the learner, as driver and as passenger.
- Damage caused, under all circumstances, to the learner or his belongings during and by the use of this driving school vehicle.
- This policy stipulates that the insurer (except in cases of gross negligence or intent) shall waive any recourse against the learner driver. Cover for damage to the learner driver’s belongings shall be limited to €1,000.00. (RD 11/05/2004 Accreditation of driving schools. Art. 19). Any damage caused by the learner driver’s own vehicle shall not be covered by an insurance policy of the driving school.

Article 7 - Certificate of competence and other certificates

7.1. The driving school shall not issue a certificate of competency if the instructor is of the opinion that the learner driver is not competent to continue his/her training on public highways without supervision. During planned assessments the instructor shall discuss the learner driver’s progress with him/her. To obtain a certificate of competency, the learner driver must have effectively completed a minimum of 20 hours of lessons.

7.2. The cost of issuing a legal certificate is included in the tuition fee. €10.00 shall be charged for issuing a duplicate of this certificate.

Article 8 - Disputes

8.1. In the event of complaints the learner driver shall write to the VAB Driving School management at the following address: VAB-Rijschool NV, Oostjachtpark 13, 9100 Sint-Niklaas, or by e-mail: info@vabrijschool.be. Except in cases of force majeure, complaints must reach VAB Driving School no later than 14 days after the services were provided.

8.2. In the event of a dispute, only the courts of the district of Dendermonde shall have jurisdiction, unless stipulated otherwise by law.

Article 9 - Privacy

9.1. VAB Driving School respects the privacy of its customers and users of its website. The collation and use of personal data by VAB Driving School shall be in accordance with the Law of July 30, 2018 pertaining to the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data. This personal data shall be stored in a data file owned by VAB-Rijschool NV, Oostjachtpark 13, 9100 Sint-Niklaas.

9.2. VAB Driving School shall use this data to manage requests from its customers and keep them informed of activities, products and services of VAB Driving School and its affiliate companies.

9.3. The customer shall be entitled to object to the use and/or transmission of his/her data by sending a straightforward letter (with a copy of the front of the identity card) to VAB Driving School, Oostjachtpark 13, 9100 Sint-Niklaas.

9.4. Everyone has a right of communication, inspection, access and rectification of their personal data. It shall be sufficient to contact VAB Driving School as indicated above for this purpose.

9.5. VAB Driving School’s comprehensive privacy policy can be consulted at www.dataprotectionauthority.be or https://www.vab.be/en/privacy. 

Special terms and conditions

The special terms and conditions are valid only for the driving licence category corresponding to the category for which you have paid and are taking or will take lessons.

Driving license A and Driving license AM

Article 1 - Additional conditions

1.1. These Special Terms and Conditions supplement the General Terms and Conditions of VAB Driving School. In the event of a contradiction between the two sets of conditions, these Special Terms and Conditions shall prevail. 

Article 2 - Documents and payment of test centre

2.1. You will have to present the following documents at the test centre for the practical test:
a) Cat AM: application form for AM (motorcycle) driving licence (upon completion of a successful theoretical test);
b) Cat A1, A2 and A: application for a provisional driving licence, proof of a successful theoretical test, valid provisional driving licence or form “Annex 4";
c) Valid identity card MANDATORY (or proof of loss or theft).

2.2. You will also have to pay a driving test fee to the test centre.

Article 3 - Fees

3.1. Check the fees for driving license A and AM at the bottom of this page.

3.2. These prices include 21% VAT. These fees remain valid for 1 month.

Article 4 - Required attire for motorcycle and moped candidates

4.1. Applicants shall provide the following clothing themselves: 
• Long trousers, long-sleeved jacket, boots or half-boots that protect the ankle. You will have to provide this yourself; and
• Own helmet and gloves.

Article 5 - Exoneration 

5.1. VAB Driving School shall not be liable for changes in training or driving test regulations due to changes in the law.

Driving licence B and Driving licence BE

Article 1 - Additional conditions

1.1. These Special Terms and Conditions supplement the General Terms and Conditions of VAB Driving School. In the event of a contradiction between the two sets of conditions, these Special Terms and Conditions shall prevail.

Article 2 - Documents and payment of test centre

2.1. You will have to present the following documents at the test centre for the practical test:
a) Cat. B: valid provisional driving license or form ‘Annex 4’ and valid identity card and training certificates if applicable;
b) Cat. BE: valid driving licence B and valid identity card.
c) Valid Theory Certificate

2.2. You will also have to pay a driving test fee to the test centre.

Article 3 - Fees

3.1. Check the fees for driving license B and BE at the bottom of this page.

3.2. These prices include 21% VAT. These fees remain valid for 1 month.

Article 4 - Exoneration 

4.1. VAB Driving School shall not be liable for changes in training or driving test regulations due to changes in the law.

Article 5 - Required attire for candidates BE

5.1. One must provide the following clothing oneself for candidates driving licence BE:
• Safety gloves (wearing safety gloves during practical lessons and the practical exam is recommended)

Driving license C, C1 en CE

Article 1 - Additional conditions

1.1. These Special Terms and Conditions supplement the General Terms and Conditions of VAB Driving School. In the event of a contradiction between the two sets of conditions, these Special Terms and Conditions shall prevail.

Article 2 - Documents and payment of test centre

2.1. You will have to present the following documents at the test centre for the practical test:

a) Cat. C: 
• Valid driving licence cat. B;
• Application for provisional driving licence, certificate of a successful theoretical test or valid provisional driving licence cat. C, C1;
• In the event of professional competency: certificate of a successful theoretical test basic qualification, valid medical examination group 2;
b) Cat. CE: 
• Valid driving licence cat. C;
• In the event of professional competency: certificate of a successful theoretical test for basic qualification; valid medical examination group 2;
c) Valid medical examination group 2 (see driving licence)
d) Valid identity card MANDATORY (or proof of loss or theft)

2.2. You will also have to pay a driving test fee to the test centre.

Article 3 - Fees

3.1. Check the fees for driving license C/C1 and CE at the bottom of this page.

3.2. These prices include 21% VAT. These fees remain valid for 1 month.

Article 4 – Payment 

- full tuition fees must be paid upon registration
- balance 10 days before lessons start.

Article 5 - Required attire for candidates C, C1 and CE

5.1. One should provide the following attire oneself for candidates C, C1 and CE:
• Safety gloves (wearing safety gloves during practical lessons and the practical exam is recommended)

Article 6 - Exoneration 

6.1. VAB Driving School shall not be liable for changes in training or driving test regulations due to changes in the law.

Driving license D

Article 1 - Additional conditions

1.1. These Special Terms and Conditions supplement the General Terms and Conditions of VAB Driving School. In the event of a contradiction between the two sets of conditions, these Special Terms and Conditions shall prevail.

Article 2 - Documents and payment of test centre

2.1. You will have to present the following documents at the test centre for the practical test:
a) Cat. D: 
• Valid driving licence cat. B;
• Application for a provisional driving licence, certificate of a successful theoretical test or valid provisional driving licence cat. D;
• In the event of professional competency: certificate of a successful theoretical test basic qualification, valid medical examination group 2;
b) Cat. DE: 
• Valid driving licence cat. D;
• In the event of professional competency: certificate of a successful theoretical test for basic qualification;
c) Valid medical examination group 2 (see driving licence)
d) Valid identity card MANDATORY (or proof of loss or theft)

2.2. You will also have to pay a driving test fee to the test centre.

Article 3 - Fees

3.1. Check the fees for driving license D at the bottom of this page.

3.2. These prices include 21% VAT. These fees remain valid for 1 month.

Article 4 – Payment 

- advance payment of at least €500 upon enrolment.
- balance 10 days before lessons start.

Article 5 - Exoneration 

5.1. VAB Driving School shall not be liable for changes in the training or driving test regulations due to changes in the law.

Special conditions - Return training

Article 1 - Additional conditions

1.1. These Special Terms and Conditions supplement the General Terms and Conditions of VAB Driving School. In the event of a contradiction between the two sets of conditions, these Special Terms and Conditions shall prevail. 

Article 2 - What is return training?

2.1. Return training (TKM) is the mandatory follow-up course for drivers whose last provisional licence was issued after 1 October 2017 and who recently obtained their driving licence in Flanders. All drivers will be required to attend this 4-hour course at the earliest 6 months and at the latest 9 months after their driving licence was issued.

2.2. Participants themselves need to check whether they are required to attend the course and that they are enrolling for the correct period.

Article 3 – Cost 

3.1. The cost of the return training is €128.00 (including VAT). All fees shall be indexed annually.

3.2. If a participant has missed the mandatory period and enrols on a date within the first two months following the mandatory period, MOW (the Ministry of Public Works and Mobility) will impose a surcharge. MOW requires VAB Driving School to collect this surcharge at the start of the return training course. Failure to pay the surcharge will result in the participant not being admitted to the course.

Article 4 - Cancellation or rescheduling of the return training by the participant

4.1. Participants have the right to reschedule their appointment free of charge up to 7 days before the booked return training session. In such cases VAB Driving School will book a new appointment for the candidate.

4.2. If the participant has been granted an extension by MOW (the Department of Mobility and Public Works Flanders) and had already booked and paid for an appointment prior to the postponement request, the participant shall be able to reschedule the appointment to a later date, up to 7 days prior to the initially scheduled date, at no additional cost subject to written proof of this postponement.

4.3. If, in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions, a participant can no longer attend the return training due to illness, VAB Driving School shall be notified as soon as possible via terugkommoment@vabrijschool.be. Illness shall also be attested by a doctor’s certificate submitted before or at the latest on the day of the return training. Later certificates shall not be accepted. 

Article 5 - Rescheduling of return training by VAB Driving School

5.1. If less than the minimum number of participants (less than 6 people) are present at the start of the training, VAB Driving School shall be obliged to cancel it. Participants who are already on site will be able to reschedule their appointment to a subsequent time free of charge in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions.

5.2. If the practice area cannot be made safe due to adverse weather conditions, the training shall not take place and a new date will be scheduled at no additional cost to participants. VAB Driving School shall determine when a situation is too risky.

Article 6 - Practical arrangements

6.1. Participants must arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the return training. 

6.2. If a participant arrives later than the official start time, he/she shall not be able to take part in the return training as the MOW administration tool will be blocked. Another training session will then be arranged for the participant and he/she shall have to pay again.

6.3. To take part in the return training the participant must be in possession of his/her identity card and a valid driving licence. If the driving licence has been withdrawn or the participant has been disqualified from driving, he/she shall not be able to perform the practical exercises as a driver. The Applied Mobility Policy department will be notified accordingly.

6.4. If weather conditions change during the return training to the extent that practical exercises cannot continue safely, the participants shall not have to perform the practical exercises and the instructor will be able to continue with the group discussion.

6.5. The course shall be given in Dutch in accordance with language legislation. Participants may arrange a sworn interpreter at their own expense, without the interpreter interfering with the lessons. VAB Driving School shall also be notified in advance of the presence of an interpreter.

6.6. Smartphone, tablet, laptop or other electronic devices shall not be allowed during the training.

6.7. If a participant fails to follow the instructions provided by an instructor, the latter shall issue a warning to the participant. If the participant still does not follow the instructions, the instructor may prohibit the participant from performing the practical exercises as a driver. A participant who refuses to perform the exercises cannot be obliged to do so. He/she shall be able to attend the practical exercise as an observer.

6.8. If a participant leaves the return training early at his/her own initiative, VAB Driving School shall be obliged to report this to the Applied Mobility Policy department and the participant shall have to attend the entire return training session at another time and pay an enrolment fee again. He/she shall consequently not receive a certificate of attendance.

Special terms and conditions - Training sessions

Article 1 - Additional conditions

1.1. These Special Terms and Conditions supplement the General Terms and Conditions of VAB Driving School. In the event of a contradiction between the two sets of conditions, these Special Terms and Conditions shall prevail. 

Article 2 - What does a training session consist of?

2.1. During this 3 hour 15 minute training session the Customer (attendant) will be given details of the learning objectives of the driving course and the skills required by drivers (candidate drivers), his/her role as attendant, the basics of traffic safe anticipatory driving, the highway code and practical tips.

2.2. Once the training has been completed, an attendant’s certificate will be issued and serve as proof of the completed training. This certificate shall remain valid for 10 years from the date of the training course.

Article 3 – Cost 

3.1. The cost of the Training Session is €20.00 (including VAT). All fees shall be indexed annually.

3.2. The candidate driver shall be able to attend the attendant’s training without having to pay a fee.

Article 4 - Instructors training

4.1. VAB Driving School guarantees that training shall only be provided by instructors with a Professional Competency Certificate II or III who have completed the relevant courses.

Article 5 - Attendant obligations

5.1. Attendants are requested to bring a smartphone on which ItsMe (www.itsme-ID.com) has been activated and which can be used to scan a QR code. The customer shall be responsible for identification on the government platform.

5.2. In the event of online training the customer shall be responsible for the optimal operation of his/her Internet connection and computer camera and microphone. It shall not be acceptable to attend the online course using a smartphone or tablet. 

5.3. If, in accordance with the General Terms and Conditions, an attendant can no longer attend the training session due to illness, VAB Driving School shall be notified as soon as possible via vormingsmoment@vabrijschool.be. Illness shall also be attested by a doctor’s certificate submitted before or at the latest on the day of the return training. Later certificates shall not be accepted. 

Article 6 - Practical arrangements

6.1. Attendants must arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the training session. 

6.2. Participants who do not attend on time or leave the training session early shall not be issued with an attendant’s certificate. They shall have to register for another training session and shall have to pay the full registration fee again.