Semi-trailer truckBelgium

A Belgian semi-trailer truck consists of a tractor and a semi-trailer coupled together. Belgian technical regulations refer to this combination as an articulated vehicle.

A semi-trailer is a towed vehicle designed to be coupled to a semi-trailer tractor or dolly and to transfer a significant static vertical load to that towing vehicle.

A tractor is a motor vehicle in category N1, N2 or N3 designed primarily to tow semi-trailers or trailers.

A heavy tractor with a semi-trailer whose maximum authorised mass exceeds 750 kg normally requires a category CE driving licence. Category C by itself normally permits only a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg.

Generally yes. Most professional drivers using category C and CE vehicles must hold the required professional competence, indicated by Code 95, unless a specific exemption applies.

A standard articulated tractor-semi-trailer combination may generally be up to 16.5 metres long when the applicable geometric requirements concerning the semi-trailer and coupling are satisfied.

The permitted maximum mass depends on the number of axles, suspension, configuration, region and type of transport. Common articulated configurations can reach up to approximately 44 tonnes under the applicable technical rules, while different limits apply to other combinations.

For a vehicle or combination with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes, the maximum speed on a Belgian motorway is 90 km/h, unless a lower limit applies.

Under the rules currently applicable until 31 May 2027, when a motorway has three or more lanes in the same direction, vehicles and combinations exceeding 3.5 tonnes may normally use only the two rightmost lanes, except where particular lane-direction signs require otherwise.

Yes. From 1 June 2027, under the new Code of the Public Road, vehicles and combinations exceeding 3.5 tonnes may not use the leftmost lane of a motorway with three or more lanes in their direction. This replaces the current two-rightmost-lanes wording.

For vehicles and combinations used to transport goods with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes, overtaking is prohibited during precipitation on motorways, autowegen and roads with at least four lanes, subject to the specific exceptions provided by law.

Yes. Outside built-up areas, vehicles and combinations exceeding 7.5 tonnes or longer than 7 metres must normally maintain at least 50 metres from another such vehicle travelling ahead.

No. Within built-up areas, vehicles and combinations with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 7.5 tonnes may not normally remain parked on the public road for more than eight consecutive hours except in specifically designated parking places.