Traffic signsWallonia
Traffic rules
Wallonia
201. Traction battery
A traction battery is a rechargeable battery that stores electrical energy used to propel an electric or hybrid vehicle. It supplies power to one or more electric traction motors and is normally much larger and more powerful than the vehicle's conventional 12-volt starter battery.
Traction-battery capacity is commonly expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and strongly influences an electric vehicle's driving range. Its performance and usable capacity can gradually decrease with age, charging cycles, temperature and use.
Wikimedia.org • Spielvogel • CC0
What is a traction battery in an electric vehicle in Belgium?
It is the rechargeable high-energy battery that stores electricity used by the vehicle's electric propulsion system. It is distinct from the smaller conventional battery used for low-voltage electrical functions.
Are traction batteries covered by European battery rules in Belgium?
Yes. Electric-vehicle batteries placed on the Belgian market fall within the EU Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. Its framework covers sustainability, safety, labelling and end-of-life management. Individual requirements have their own application dates.
🔗 environment.ec.europa.eu • European Commission, Batteries, scope of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542; 🔗 ovam.vlaanderen.be • OVAM, Batteries Regulation, Belgian producer responsibility and waste management
202. Suspension
Suspension is the system that connects a vehicle's wheels and axles to its body or chassis. It includes components such as springs, shock absorbers, control arms, joints and links that allow the wheels to move while helping keep the vehicle stable and comfortable.
The suspension helps maintain tyre contact with the road, absorbs bumps and contributes to steering, braking and vehicle stability. Worn or damaged suspension components can reduce handling and increase uneven tyre wear.
Wikimedia.org • Khaosaming • CC BY-SA
Is the suspension checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. Suspension components form part of the technical roadworthiness inspection. Defects affecting the safe operation or attachment of suspension components can result in a defect being recorded.
Why is suspension condition important for road safety?
A correctly functioning suspension helps keep the tyres in contact with the road and contributes to predictable steering, braking and stability. Worn or damaged suspension parts can therefore reduce vehicle control.
203. Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a suspension component that controls the movement of a vehicle's springs and wheels. It reduces excessive bouncing after bumps and helps keep the tyres in consistent contact with the road.
Worn or damaged shock absorbers can reduce vehicle stability, increase body movement and negatively affect steering and braking behaviour. They should be inspected if the vehicle bounces excessively, handles poorly or shows signs of fluid leakage.
Wikimedia.org • Avsar Aras • CC BY-SA
Are shock absorbers checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. Shock absorbers form part of the suspension system checked during vehicle roadworthiness inspection.
Can a loose or missing shock absorber cause a vehicle to fail inspection?
Yes. An improperly attached, loose or missing shock absorber is considered a suspension defect and can result in an unfavourable inspection outcome.
204. Spring
A spring is a suspension component that supports the vehicle's weight and allows the wheels to move vertically over bumps and uneven road surfaces. Common types include coil springs, leaf springs, torsion bars and air springs.
Springs absorb and store energy as the suspension moves, while shock absorbers control that movement. A damaged or broken spring can change the vehicle's ride height, handling and stability and should be repaired promptly.
Wikimedia.org • Qz10 • CC BY-SA
Are suspension springs checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. Suspension components, including springs, form part of the vehicle roadworthiness inspection.
Can you modify or replace suspension springs in Belgium?
Yes, but modifications must comply with the applicable technical and approval requirements. Changes such as lowering a vehicle with non-standard springs can therefore be subject to specific conditions.
205. Exhaust
An exhaust system carries combustion gases away from a vehicle’s engine and releases them safely behind or beneath the vehicle. The exhaust system can include pipes, silencers or mufflers, catalytic converters, particulate filters and other emissions-control components.
A damaged or leaking exhaust can increase noise, allow harmful gases to escape in unintended locations and interfere with the vehicle's emissions-control system. Exhaust components should therefore remain securely attached and in good condition.
Wikimedia.org • Steevven1 • CC BY
Is the exhaust system checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. The exhaust and emissions-control system form part of the vehicle's technical inspection. Problems such as excessive emissions, leaks or insecure exhaust components can result in a defect being recorded.
Can you remove a particulate filter or other emissions equipment in Belgium?
No. Required emissions-control equipment must remain functional and the vehicle must continue to comply with its approved technical configuration and emissions requirements. Manipulating or removing equipment such as a particulate filter can therefore result in inspection and compliance problems.
206. Exhaust gas
Exhaust gas is the mixture of gases and particles produced by an internal-combustion engine and discharged through the vehicle's exhaust system. It contains combustion products such as carbon dioxide and water vapour and can also contain pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and particulate matter.
Modern vehicles use emissions-control systems such as catalytic converters and particulate filters to reduce harmful exhaust emissions. The amount and composition of exhaust gas depend on factors including the fuel, engine design, operating conditions and condition of the emissions-control system.
Wikimedia.org • Santeri Viinamäki • CC BY-SA
Are exhaust emissions checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. Exhaust emissions form part of the environmental checks carried out during technical inspection. The testing method depends on the type and age of the vehicle and its engine.
Can a defective particulate filter cause a Belgian vehicle to fail inspection?
Yes. For diesel vehicles covered by the particle-number test, excessive particle emissions can indicate a defective, missing or manipulated particulate filter and can result in an unfavourable inspection result.
207. Soot
Soot is a dark, carbon-rich form of particulate matter produced by incomplete combustion. In road vehicles, it is mainly associated with exhaust from diesel engines and consists of very small particles that can contribute to air pollution.
Modern diesel vehicles use particulate filters to trap much of this material before it leaves the exhaust. Excessive soot emissions can indicate problems with combustion, the engine or the emissions-control system.
Wikimedia.org • Ilya Plekhanov • CC BY-SA
Are soot emissions checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. Diesel emissions are checked during technical inspection. The method depends on the vehicle's emissions standard and can include either a particle-number measurement or an opacity test.
What happens if a diesel vehicle produces too many particles in Flanders?
If the measured concentration reaches at least 1 000 000 particles per cubic centimetre, the vehicle receives a limited-validity inspection certificate and must be repaired. Repeated failure can ultimately result in a red certificate prohibiting normal road use.
208. Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is an emissions-control device fitted in a vehicle's exhaust system. It uses chemical reactions to convert harmful exhaust pollutants into less harmful substances before the exhaust gases are released into the atmosphere.
Depending on the engine and system, a catalytic converter can reduce pollutants such as carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. It must reach an appropriate operating temperature to work effectively and can be damaged by contamination, overheating or engine faults.
Wikimedia.org • Oak Ridge National Laboratory • CC BY
Is the catalytic converter checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. The vehicle's emissions-control equipment and exhaust emissions form part of roadworthiness inspection. A catalytic converter that is missing, modified or obviously defective can therefore cause an inspection problem.
Can a faulty catalytic converter cause excessive emissions?
Yes. A catalytic converter that no longer works correctly may fail to reduce exhaust pollutants sufficiently. This can lead to excessive emissions and an unfavourable result during the applicable emissions test.
209. Engine
An engine is the machine that produces the power needed to propel a motor vehicle. In conventional vehicles, an internal-combustion engine burns fuel such as petrol or diesel, while electric vehicles use one or more electric motors instead of a combustion engine.
An engine contains many components that work together to convert energy into mechanical power. Proper lubrication, cooling, maintenance and emissions control are important for reliable operation and vehicle safety.
Wikimedia.org • Yanko Malinov • CC BY-SA
Is the engine checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
The inspection does not normally involve dismantling the engine, but engine-related systems and their effects can be checked. This includes matters such as emissions, exhaust condition, fluid leaks and other defects that affect roadworthiness or environmental compliance.
Can a vehicle's engine be replaced or modified in Belgium?
Engine replacement or modification may affect the vehicle's approved technical characteristics. Significant changes must comply with the applicable vehicle-approval and technical requirements and can require additional approval or inspection.
210. Petrol engine
A petrol engine is an internal-combustion engine that normally uses spark plugs to ignite a mixture of air and petrol. For this reason, it is also known as a spark-ignition or positive-ignition engine.
Petrol engines convert the energy released by combustion into mechanical power that drives the vehicle. Modern petrol engines use electronic engine management and emissions-control systems such as catalytic converters to improve efficiency and reduce harmful exhaust emissions.
Wikimedia.org • Florian Lindner • CC BY
Are petrol-engine emissions checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. Emissions form part of vehicle roadworthiness inspection. In Flanders, petrol-engine vehicles undergo a carbon-monoxide emissions test as part of the environmental checks.
Does a petrol engine use spark plugs?
Yes. Conventional petrol engines are positive-ignition engines and normally use spark plugs to ignite the compressed air-fuel mixture inside the cylinders.
211. Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal-combustion engine that normally ignites fuel through the heat created by highly compressed air rather than by using spark plugs. For this reason, it is also known as a compression-ignition engine.
Diesel engines are commonly used in passenger cars, trucks, buses and machinery because they can provide strong low-speed torque and efficient fuel use. Modern diesel engines use emissions-control systems such as particulate filters and selective catalytic reduction to reduce harmful exhaust emissions.
Wikimedia.org • Vitaly V. Kuzmin • CC BY-SA
Are diesel-engine emissions checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. Diesel vehicles undergo emissions checks during technical inspection. The type of test depends on factors such as the vehicle's age and emissions standard.
Can a faulty diesel particulate filter cause an inspection problem?
Yes. Excessive particle emissions can indicate that the particulate filter is defective, missing or manipulated and can result in an unfavourable technical inspection.
212. Electric motor
An electric motor is a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical power. In an electric or hybrid vehicle, one or more electric motors can provide the torque needed to drive the wheels.
Electric motors can deliver torque from very low speeds and operate without the combustion process used by petrol or diesel engines. During regenerative braking, some electric motors can also operate as generators and convert part of the vehicle's motion back into electrical energy.
Wikimedia.org • Oleg Alexandrov • CC BY-SA
What does the electric motor do in an electric vehicle in Belgium?
The electric motor converts electrical energy supplied by the vehicle's traction battery into mechanical power used to propel the vehicle.
Does an electric motor produce exhaust gases while driving?
No. An electric motor does not burn fuel and therefore produces no exhaust gases itself. A fully electric vehicle consequently has no tailpipe emissions from propulsion, while a hybrid vehicle can still produce exhaust emissions when its combustion engine is operating.
213. Timing belt
A timing belt is a toothed belt in an internal-combustion engine that synchronises the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft so that the engine's valves open and close at the correct time relative to piston movement.
The timing belt is a wear component and must be replaced according to the vehicle manufacturer's maintenance schedule. If it becomes excessively worn or breaks, the engine can stop suddenly and, in many engine designs, serious internal engine damage can occur.
Wikimedia.org • Thesupermat • CC BY-SA
Is the timing belt routinely checked during technical inspection in Belgium?
No specific routine timing-belt check forms part of the standard roadworthiness inspection. The technical inspection should therefore not be relied upon to determine whether a timing belt is due for replacement.
Should you wait for symptoms before replacing a timing belt?
No. A timing belt can fail without a reliable warning, so preventive replacement according to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule is important. A broken belt can cause the engine to stop and may result in severe internal engine damage.
214. Glow plug
A glow plug is an electrical heating element used in diesel engines to help ignite the fuel during cold starting. It heats the combustion chamber so that the compressed air reaches conditions suitable for reliable combustion.
Modern glow plugs can continue operating briefly after the engine starts to improve combustion, reduce cold-start emissions and help the engine run smoothly while warming up.
Wikimedia.org • Chris828 • CC0
Can a faulty glow plug affect diesel emissions?
Yes. Poor glow plug operation can make cold combustion less effective and can contribute to increased emissions or rough running while the engine is cold.
🔗 denso-am.eu • DENSO, glow-plug operation and fault diagnosis
Should a faulty glow plug be replaced?
Yes. A defective glow plug should be diagnosed and repaired according to the vehicle manufacturer's requirements, particularly when it causes difficult starting, warning messages or poor cold-engine operation.
🔗 denso-am.eu • DENSO, glow-plug operation and fault diagnosis
215. Cylinder
A cylinder is a chamber inside a reciprocating internal-combustion engine in which a piston moves up and down. Air or an air-fuel mixture is compressed inside the cylinder, and combustion produces pressure that pushes the piston and helps generate mechanical power.
Most car engines have several cylinders arranged in configurations such as inline, V-shaped or horizontally opposed layouts. The combined swept volume of all cylinders is known as the engine displacement or cylinder capacity.
Wikimedia.org • Nick johns • CC0
Is cylinder capacity used in Belgian vehicle rules?
Yes. Cylinder capacity is an important technical characteristic for vehicles with combustion engines and is used in the classification of certain motorcycles, mopeds and other vehicle categories.
Does cylinder capacity affect Belgian motorcycle licence categories?
Yes. For example, category A1 includes qualifying motorcycles with a cylinder capacity of no more than 125 cm³ together with specified power and power-to-weight limits.
216. Engine oil
Engine oil is a lubricant used inside an internal-combustion engine to reduce friction and wear between moving components. It also helps remove heat, keep internal surfaces clean and protect components against corrosion.
The oil level and condition should be checked according to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions. Only oil with the correct specification and viscosity should be used, and the oil and oil filter should be replaced at the recommended maintenance intervals.
Wikimedia.org • Dvortygirl • CC BY-SA
How do you show the oil-level check during the Flemish category B test?
If the vehicle has a dipstick, you must open the bonnet and indicate where the oil dipstick is located. If the vehicle only has an electronic oil-level system, you must indicate the oil-level display on the dashboard. You are not required to perform an actual oil-level measurement during this check.
217. Coolant
Coolant is a fluid that circulates through a vehicle's cooling system to remove excess heat from the engine or other components. It usually contains water mixed with antifreeze and corrosion inhibitors so that the cooling system can operate safely across a wide range of temperatures.
The coolant level should be checked according to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions. The correct coolant specification must be used, and the cooling system should only be opened when it is safe to do so because hot coolant can be under pressure.
Wikimedia.org • Gasper12345 • CC BY-SA
Can coolant be part of the Flemish category B practical driving test?
Yes. During the category B practical examination in Flanders, the candidate may be asked to show where the coolant level is checked.
Do you have to measure the coolant level during the practical test?
The examination check focuses on identifying where the coolant level is checked or displayed. After opening the bonnet, you must also close it correctly and make sure it is securely closed before returning to the vehicle.
218. Maintenance
Maintenance is the regular inspection, servicing and repair of a vehicle to keep it safe, reliable and in good working condition. It includes tasks such as checking fluids, tyres, brakes, lights and other components and replacing worn parts when necessary.
Maintenance should follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommended service schedule. Regular maintenance can help prevent breakdowns, reduce wear, maintain safety systems and identify defects before they become more serious.
Wikimedia.org • Nigel Sandridge • CC0
Is regular vehicle maintenance compulsory in Belgium?
Drivers are responsible for keeping their vehicles safe and roadworthy. Regular servicing according to the manufacturer's instructions is an important way to maintain that condition, while vehicles subject to periodic technical inspection must also undergo the required official inspections.
Should a vehicle be serviced before technical inspection in Belgium?
It can be useful. Flemish authorities advise that a garage can check items such as the brakes, lights and tyres before the technical inspection and that previously identified defects should be repaired beforehand.
219. Spare tyre
A spare tyre is an additional tyre, usually already mounted on a wheel, carried in a vehicle so that a damaged or punctured road wheel can be temporarily replaced. Vehicles may carry a full-size spare wheel, a compact temporary spare or a tyre-repair kit instead.
A temporary spare wheel is normally intended only for emergency and short-term use. Drivers must follow the manufacturer's restrictions concerning speed, distance, tyre pressure and installation and should replace or repair the damaged normal tyre as soon as possible.
Wikimedia.org • Mike-fiesta • CC BY-SA
Is a spare wheel compulsory in a Belgian car?
No general Belgian rule requires an ordinary car to carry a spare wheel. Many vehicles instead have a tyre-repair kit, run-flat tyres or another manufacturer-provided solution.
Must you reduce speed when using a spare wheel in Belgium?
Yes, where the spare requires it. Belgian law states that when a spare wheel is being used temporarily, the use of the vehicle must be adapted, particularly by reducing speed.
What should you do if the tyre cannot be repaired safely at the roadside?
Move the vehicle to a safe location where possible, secure and signal it as required and arrange roadside assistance or recovery. Do not continue driving on a severely damaged or deflated tyre.
220. Flat tyre
A flat tyre is a tyre that has lost enough air pressure that it can no longer support the vehicle or operate safely. It can result from a puncture, damaged valve, damaged wheel, tyre failure or a gradual air leak.
A flat tyre can seriously affect steering, braking and vehicle stability. The driver should reduce speed smoothly, avoid sudden steering or braking and stop in a safe place as soon as possible rather than continuing to drive on the damaged tyre.
Wikimedia.org • Stian Martinsen • CC BY-SA
What should you do if you get a flat tyre on a Belgian motorway?
Move the vehicle to the emergency lane or as far away from moving traffic as safely possible. Switch on the hazard warning lights, leave the vehicle safely and move behind the guardrail where possible rather than remaining close to traffic.
Can a damaged tyre cause a problem at Belgian technical inspection?
Yes. Tyres are checked during technical inspection. Serious cuts or damage, exposed or damaged cords and insufficient tread depth can result in a defect being recorded.
221. Jack
A jack is a portable lifting device used to raise part of a vehicle off the ground, commonly when changing a wheel. Vehicle jacks can be mechanical, hydraulic or electrically operated.
A jack should only be used at the lifting points specified by the vehicle manufacturer and on a firm, stable surface. The parking brake should be applied and the vehicle secured against movement before lifting.
Wikimedia.org • Santeri Viinamäki • CC BY-SA
Is a jack compulsory equipment in a car in Belgium?
No. A jack is not part of the standard compulsory safety equipment that every ordinary passenger car must carry in Belgium. Some vehicles are supplied with a jack and spare wheel, while others use a tyre-repair system or another solution.
Can you go underneath a Belgian car supported only by its jack?
No. A vehicle jack should not be treated as a safe permanent support for working underneath a vehicle. Suitable supporting equipment should be used before anyone works beneath a raised vehicle.
222. Vehicle inspection
A vehicle inspection is an official check to determine whether a vehicle is safe, roadworthy and compliant with applicable technical and environmental requirements. Depending on the country and type of vehicle, inspections may check the brakes, tyres, steering, suspension, lights, emissions, identification and other safety-related components. Inspection rules and intervals vary between countries: some vehicles require regular periodic inspections, while others may also need an inspection after major modifications, an accident, importation or a change of ownership.
Wikimedia.org • Roman Zázvorka • CC BY-SA
Is vehicle inspection mandatory in Belgium?
Yes. Vehicles that fall within the inspection requirements must undergo an official technical inspection. The rules are administered by the three Belgian regions: Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia, so some procedures and inspection intervals can differ between regions.
When does a passenger car need its first technical inspection in Belgium?
A normal passenger car generally needs its first periodic technical inspection when it reaches four years after its first registration.
How often do passenger cars need technical inspection in Flanders?
Since 1 September 2026, passenger cars generally have a two-year inspection period, subject to the applicable transitional and inspection-certificate conditions.
223. Key
A key is a device used to unlock a vehicle and authorise its operation. Traditional vehicle keys use a mechanical blade, while modern vehicles commonly use electronic transponders, remote-control key fobs or keyless systems that communicate electronically with the vehicle.
Many modern keys work together with an immobiliser that prevents the engine or propulsion system from being activated unless an authorised key is detected. Replacement or duplicate keys may therefore need to be electronically programmed to the vehicle.
Wikimedia.org • chen chin • CC BY
Do modern Belgian cars use electronic immobiliser keys?
Yes. Many modern vehicles registered in Belgium use electronic keys or transponders that communicate with an immobiliser. The vehicle will normally only authorise starting when it recognises a valid key.
Can a replacement vehicle key require programming in Belgium?
Yes. When a vehicle uses an electronic immobiliser or keyless system, a replacement key may need to be electronically matched or programmed to the vehicle before it can authorise starting.
224. Dashboard
The dashboard is the area in front of the driver that displays important information about the vehicle and provides access to controls and warning indicators. It commonly includes the speedometer, fuel or battery level, warning lights, indicators and information about the engine, brakes and safety systems. Modern vehicles may use a digital instrument display instead of traditional gauges. Drivers should understand the main dashboard symbols and respond appropriately when a warning light appears.
Wikimedia.org • Petar Milošević • CC BY-SA
Are dashboard warning lights checked during the technical inspection in Belgium?
Some dashboard warning lights and indicators are checked during the technical inspection. The exact requirements and consequences depend on the system involved and the rules of the region where the vehicle is inspected.
Does the speedometer have to work in Belgium?
Yes. The speedometer must be usable and readable. In Flanders, a speedometer that cannot be read or illuminated can result in a red inspection certificate requiring reinspection.
225. Windscreen wiper
A windscreen wiper is a device that removes rain, snow, dirt and other moisture from a vehicle’s windscreen to maintain a clear view of the road. Most vehicles use electrically powered wipers with replaceable rubber blades and several operating speeds, often together with a windscreen washer system. Drivers should replace worn or damaged wiper blades when they leave streaks, skip across the glass or no longer clean the windscreen effectively.
Wikimedia.org • Lothar Spurzem • CC BY-SA
Are windscreen wipers required in Belgium?
Yes. Vehicles with a windscreen that are subject to the applicable Belgian technical requirements must have one or more effective windscreen wipers that provide the driver with an adequate view and can operate without continuous manual operation by the driver.
Is a windscreen washer required in Belgium?
Belgian technical requirements provide that vehicles with more than two wheels and a windscreen must be equipped with a windscreen washer system, subject to the applicable vehicle requirements.
Are windscreen wipers checked during the technical inspection in Belgium?
Yes. The presence, operation and condition of windscreen wipers can be checked during the technical inspection. A missing, defective or non-functioning wiper can result in a defect being recorded.