This translation of the approach has been updated more recently.
Article in reference language (fr)
Wallonia is responsible for regulating driving training, checking the conditions of access to the profession and issuing relevant certificates. It also verifies the conditions of access to the market and approves driving schools. An approved driving school may provide driving instruction in several business units. In order to do so, it must first apply for and obtain authorisation(s) to operate an additional business unit, or place of business. To obtain authorisation, the driving school must pay a specific fee.
This procedure is available in French, English and German.
Obtaining an operating licence for an additional business unit depends on the conditions specified in the application for an operating licence for an additional business unit.
Compilation of the file
The application for an authorisation to operate an additional business unit is sent to the Walloon Public Service’s Directorate for Road Transport Regulation by emailing formation.conduite.automobile@spw.wallonie.be, and attaching the following documents:
- Form AE002 – application for authorisation to operate an additional business unit,
- Attaching the following documents with the application:
- 1. a declaration on honour attesting to the intended use of the premises for the administration of the business unit;
- 2. a scale drawing of the classroom(s) and instruction area (not necessary when the application is only for category B), showing the equipment referred to in Articles 15 and 16 of the Royal Decree of 11 May 2004 and the instruction categories applied for; Note: if the site has already been approved, the applicant should only mention the registration number of the site on the application.
- 3. a certificate from the local authority or the relevant fire brigade unit stating that the classroom(s) and administrative premises meet the legal standards in force;
- 4. an outline of the theoretical and practical courses for the categories requested for this business unit in accordance with Annexes 4, 5, 5/1 and 5/2 of the Royal Decree of 23 March 1998 on driving licences;
- 5. a copy of the certificate of conformity (for a category AM vehicle) and the registration certificate(s) for the other vehicles owned by the driving school or made available to it under a user agreement. Note: proof of purchase of a vehicle may be sufficient if the driving school does not yet have this.
The administration may carry out appropriate checks of the accuracy of the data mentioned in the application.
Validation of the file
When the conditions are met, the SPW will, no later than three months from the submission of the complete application, issue a driving school approval, and authorisation to operate an additional business unit and, unless there is already one, approval for the instruction area.
Applicants will be informed in writing, no later than three months of receipt of their application, whether their application is complete or incomplete. If no notification is sent within this period, the application will be considered complete. If a complete application is not submitted within three months, from the date of receipt of the letter indicating that the application was incomplete, the application for approval will be closed without further action. The SPW may extend the period within which it has to issue its decision by one month. It will inform the applicant accordingly. If approval of a driving school, authorisation to operate an additional business unit, or approval of an area for a complete application is not issued within the prescribed period, this will be deemed a decision of acceptance.