The theory exam seems simple on paper. Until you're there, the clock is ticking, and suddenly you doubt everything. No stress: if you know where others go wrong, you're already one step ahead and well on your way to your provisional driving licence B! Here are the 5 most common mistakes – and how you can smartly avoid them.

1. Choosing the wrong speed based on the situation

"Outside built-up areas, expressway, 2x2 lanes... 90 km/h? 120? 70?"

A common mistake is misjudging the allowed speed. Outside built-up areas, on an expressway without a central reservation – do you drive 70, 90, or 120 km/h? The correct speed depends on the type of road, the infrastructure, and the region. Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia each have their own rules. Anyone who does not take that context into account quickly makes a wrong choice. It helps not to study purely on numbers but always to look at the bigger picture: where am I, what does the road look like, and what signs are there?

2. Not paying attention to traffic signs with extra information

"Oops, I didn't see that supplementary sign."

Or:

"I thought the sign was for trucks, but it applied to me too."

Another typical stumbling block: missing extra information on or under traffic signs. You recognise the main sign but ignore (or forget) the supplementary sign that indicates the prohibition also applies to you – and not just to trucks. In the exam, these are precisely those small elements that make the difference between right or wrong. Therefore, train yourself to always analyse the complete sign, and not just the most noticeable part.

3. Confusion between bus lanes and special lanes

"Can I drive here to turn or not?"

Sometimes a question seems to be about something simple – a bus lane for example. But then it turns out the difference lies in the line marking. A broken white line means that you are allowed to drive on the lane for a moment, for example, to turn. A solid line? Then you are dealing with a special lane, and you generally should not drive on it, except to cross it at an intersection. That difference is not immediately obvious at first glance unless you know what to look for.

4. Misjudging right of way at pedestrian crossings

"He was stationary... could I then overtake?"

Right of way rules at pedestrian crossings are often misjudged. Imagine: the car in front of you slows down or stops. Can you overtake if no pedestrian is on the crossing? The correct answer is: no. As soon as another driver slows down or stops near a pedestrian crossing, you must also be extra cautious. Especially during the exam, the rule is: safety over being right..

5. Relying too much on instinct instead of logical reasoning

"I thought the stopping distance at 100 km/h was about 50 meters..."

When it comes to questions about stopping distance or braking distance, you notice that many candidates guess. "100 km/h, then it must be about 50 meters?" Unfortunately, you're likely way off. These distances are often longer than you think. Therefore, it's wise to memorize some reference numbers well (like ±30 meters at 50 km/h and ±70 meters at 90 km/h). This prevents mistakes on seemingly logical but misleading questions.

In summary

The theory exam not only tests your knowledge but also your attention, logic, and stress resistance. Those who know the pitfalls score better.

Do you want to practice more with this kind of mistakes? Test yourself on RAPP – with explanations, repetition, and feedback on your weak points. Also, definitely check our blog “The hardest questions from the theory exam.”

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