Tow truckBelgium
Traffic rules
Belgium
91. Tow truck
A tow truck is a specialised vehicle used to recover, tow, lift or transport vehicles that are broken down, damaged, incorrectly parked or otherwise unable to continue their journey normally. Tow trucks may use lifting equipment, a winch, wheel-lift equipment or a loading platform.
Because vehicle recovery can take place beside moving traffic, tow trucks commonly use warning lights and other safety equipment while working. Drivers approaching a recovery operation should reduce speed where necessary, leave sufficient space and follow any temporary traffic control or instructions from authorised personnel.
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What is legally considered a tow truck in Belgium?
A Belgian tow truck is a category-N motor vehicle normally intended to clear the public road by removing or towing vehicles that have been damaged in an accident or have broken down.
Is any truck with towing equipment legally a Belgian tow truck?
No. A vehicle that is used for vehicle recovery only occasionally is not legally considered a tow truck. It must be normally intended and appropriately equipped for recovery work.
Can a Belgian tow truck have a loading platform?
Yes. A loading platform is permitted provided the tow truck has at least a fixed winch and two loading ramps, whether fixed or removable, as required by the technical regulations.
Must Belgian tow trucks use amber flashing lights while recovering a vehicle?
Yes. The tow truck's orange-yellow flashing lights must be used at the breakdown or recovery location and while the vehicle is being towed.
May a Belgian tow truck leave its amber lights on when it is not recovering a vehicle?
No. Outside the circumstances in which the tow truck is recovering or towing a vehicle, its orange-yellow flashing lights may not remain illuminated merely because it is a tow truck.
Do amber flashing lights give a Belgian tow truck priority?
No. Orange-yellow flashing lights serve as a warning of a special task, obstruction or danger. They do not give the tow truck the priority rights associated with a priority vehicle using the prescribed blue lights and audible warning.
Can a tow truck use the emergency lane to reach a motorway incident?
When a tow or recovery vehicle is legally travelling on the emergency lane to reach an incident on or beside a motorway or autoweg, or is using the emergency corridor, it must use one or two orange-yellow flashing lights.
Can an ordinary broken-down car be towed in Belgium?
Yes, but only under the applicable towing rules. A motor vehicle may normally be towed only when it can no longer move under its own power or no longer provides the necessary safety guarantees.
Can you tow a broken-down vehicle with an emergency coupling on a Belgian motorway?
No. Towing with an emergency or auxiliary coupling is prohibited on Belgian motorways. Professional towing equipment specifically fitted to recovery vehicles is treated differently and is not considered such an emergency coupling.
What is the maximum speed when using an emergency towing coupling in Belgium?
Where emergency or auxiliary towing is legally permitted, the maximum speed is 25 km/h, and the vehicle may only be taken to the place of repair.
Can a Belgian tow truck tow an articulated truck?
Yes, under specific conditions. A tow truck may tow an articulated vehicle solely to bring it to the place of repair, provided the tow truck satisfies the special technical requirements for doing so.
Which driving licence is required for a Belgian tow truck?
The required licence depends mainly on the tow truck's maximum authorised mass. A vehicle above 3.5 tonnes requires the appropriate category C-group licence: C1 covers vehicles above 3.5 tonnes up to 7.5 tonnes, while category C covers heavier vehicles.
