Getting around by car
The car remains one of the pillars of mobility in Luxembourg. However, in order to face the challenges posed by climate change and to safeguard quality of life for future generations, much is being done to offer alternatives to cars and make motorised traffic more environmentally friendly. Read this page for information about driving in Luxembourg, car-sharing and the rapidly expanding network of electric charging stations.
Travelling by car in Luxembourg
The Grand Duchy boasts a dense network of well-maintained roads, bridges and tunnels that is very well-connected to the neighbouring countries. Indeed, most of Luxembourg's motorways lead over the borders, towards Trier and Cologne (A1), Thionville, Metz and Strasbourg (A3), Brussels (A6) and Saarbrücken (A13).
Statistics put the Grand Duchy near the top of the list of countries for the number of cars in relation to the population. In fact the number of cars in Luxembourg has reached 415,002 in 2019, compared to 403,115 in 2018. At the same time, the part of verhicles with electric or hybrid propulsion is rapidly growing and nearly doubled between 2020 and 2021.
To drive a vehicle in the Grand Duchy, the following are compulsory:
- possession of a driving licence appropriate to the class of vehicle used;
- register the vehicle concerned;
- be in possession of a roadworthiness certificate;
- payment of the motor vehicle tax;
- possession of third-party liability insurance.
For more information on the formalities to drive in Luxembourg, or how to register your vehicle, check the relevant pages on Guichet.lu, Luxembourg's online administrative portal.
What you need to know about driving licences
Anyone wishing to drive a vehicle must be in possession of a driving licence valid for the category of vehicle being used. The points system for driving licences was set up in the Grand Duchy in 2002.
To drive with a motor vehicle on the Grand Duchy's public roads, you imperatively need a driving licence that is valid for that category of vehicle. The Driving Licence Department of the National Society of Automobile Traffic (Société nationale de circulation automobile, SNCA) handles everything connected with driving licences, except for matters involving the points system, disputes, and medical issues.
Obtaining a driving licence
To obtain a driving licence in the Grand Duchy, candidates must:
- be at least 18 years old for vehicles in category B (17 years in the case of learning to drive under the accompanied learning scheme). Minimum age requirements for driving motorised vehicles in other categoriesare indicated on the website of the Department of Transport;
- sign up with a driving school approved by the Minister responsible for Transport for at least 12 hours of theory lessons and 16 hours of practical lessons;
- pass a theoretical examination organised by the SNCA;
- pass a practical examination.
Foreign licenses in Luxembourg
If you arrive in Luxembourg and have a foreign driving licence, don't worry! The standard European driving licence was introduced in the Grand Duchy in January 2013. Licences issued by an European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) member state are recognised in Luxembourg. As a result, such holders do not need to exchange or get a re-transcription of their licence. However, if they wish to exchange it or get a re-transcription thereof, the following steps are required:
- If your licence was issued by an EU or EEA member state, it is recommended that you have your licence registered so that the Luxembourg authorities can quickly issue you with a Luxembourgish licence if your own licence is lost or stolen.
- If your licence was issued by a country that is not in the EU, you are entitled to use your licence for a period of one year before having it transcribed, i.e. exchanged for a Luxembourgish licence.
- It is recommended you replace your driving licence if it has been stolen, lost or damaged.
Hang on to your points
Upon obtaining a driving licence, you have 12 points that can be taken away for more serious driving offences. Once all the points have been lost, the licence is no longer valid and has to be renewed.
Carsharing: sharing a car without having it personally, an emerging and constantly growing trend.
Car-pooling: connected hitch-hiking
Are you a commuter looking for car-pooling opportunities in order to get to work?
Car-pooling is a collective means of transport and a trend that is developing slowly but surely on the roads of the Grand Duchy.
Car-pooling is highly valued by cross-border workers who are even more exposed to never-ending congestion when commuting. It allows people to make savings (on fuel and parking) and limit their ecological impact, but can also be seen as a means of strengthening social ties while contributing to convivial times on the way.
In an effort to promote carsharing, the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works published its own carsharing app: Copilote.lu. Information about it is available on its website, as well as via the mobile applications for itunes and Google Play.
Carsharing: ultimate flexibility
In the context of shared mobility, carsharing is a form of vehicle rental whereby users share cars without being car owners. They can rent the vehicle at any time they want and park it after use.
Two carsharing services currently exist in Luxembourg:
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