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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.

A battery-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle can be connected to a suitable charging point or charging station. The charging time depends on factors including the battery capacity, available charging power and vehicle charging system.

Yes. Batteries for electric vehicles placed on the Belgian market fall within the European battery regulatory framework, which includes requirements concerning areas such as conformity, sustainability, information and end-of-life management.

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.

Some suspension modifications are permitted only when they comply with the applicable approval and technical requirements. For example, lowering a vehicle by changing its spring or damper system is subject to specific conditions.

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.

Yes. Shock absorbers form part of the suspension system checked during vehicle roadworthiness inspection.

Yes. A damaged shock absorber showing signs of serious leakage or another defect can be recorded as a technical defect.

Yes. An improperly attached, loose or missing shock absorber is considered a suspension defect and can result in an unfavourable inspection outcome.

Yes. Suspension components, including springs, form part of the vehicle roadworthiness inspection.

Yes. A damaged or broken spring component is considered a suspension defect and can result in an unfavourable inspection outcome.

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.

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.

Yes. An exhaust system that is loose or leaking is considered a technical defect. Leaks that can affect the accuracy of an emissions measurement are also specifically treated as defects.

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.

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.

Petrol vehicles can undergo a carbon-monoxide emissions test, while diesel vehicles are subject to the applicable diesel-emissions test. Certain newer diesel passenger cars and light commercial vehicles are also tested with a particle counter.

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.

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.

The test applies to diesel vehicles in categories M1 and N1 with a light-duty diesel engine from Euro 5 onward. It is designed to detect excessive particle emissions and problems with the particulate filter.

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.

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.

No. Where a catalytic converter forms part of the vehicle's required emissions-control system, it must remain present and functional. Removing or improperly modifying required emissions equipment can make the vehicle non-compliant.

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.

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.

Yes. An engine-related fault can lead to an unfavourable result when it causes excessive emissions, dangerous leakage or another defect covered by the technical inspection requirements.

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.

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.

Yes. Engine or emissions-control faults that cause excessive emissions or another roadworthiness defect can result in an unfavourable inspection outcome.

Yes. Conventional petrol engines are positive-ignition engines and normally use spark plugs to ignite the compressed air-fuel mixture inside the cylinders.

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.

Yes. Applicable diesel passenger cars and light commercial vehicles from Euro 5 onward are subject to a particle-number test designed to detect excessive particle emissions and defective or manipulated particulate filters.

Yes. Excessive particle emissions can indicate that the particulate filter is defective, missing or manipulated and can result in an unfavourable technical inspection.

The electric motor converts electrical energy supplied by the vehicle's traction battery into mechanical power used to propel the vehicle.

Yes. A hybrid electric vehicle combines electric propulsion with another propulsion source, normally a petrol or diesel engine. The electric motor may propel the vehicle alone or work together with the combustion engine depending on the hybrid system.

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.

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.

Follow the replacement interval specified by the vehicle manufacturer. The required interval depends on the make, model and engine and can be based on both mileage and age.

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.

Glow plugs are not listed as a separate standard inspection item in the Flemish technical-inspection overview. However, diesel emissions are checked, so engine or combustion problems that cause excessive emissions can still affect the inspection result.

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.

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.

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.

It is normally expressed in cubic centimetres (cm³) or litres. For example, an engine with a total cylinder capacity of 1500 cm³ is commonly described as a 1.5-litre engine.

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.

Yes. During the category B practical examination, a candidate may be asked to demonstrate where the engine oil level is checked.

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.

No. Periodic technical inspection is primarily a roadworthiness and environmental inspection and is not a complete vehicle-maintenance service. Engine-oil level, condition and replacement intervals should therefore be maintained according to the vehicle manufacturer's instructions.

Yes. During the category B practical examination in Flanders, the candidate may be asked to show where the coolant level is checked.

You must open the bonnet and indicate where the coolant level can be checked. If the vehicle only has an electronic coolant-level indicator, you must show where that information appears on the dashboard.

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.

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.

No. Technical inspection is a roadworthiness check carried out at a particular moment and does not replace routine servicing or a complete mechanical inspection. Regular maintenance should continue according to the vehicle manufacturer's schedule.

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.

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.

Belgian motorists must carry the prescribed equipment including a warning triangle, retro-reflective safety vest, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit. A spare wheel is not included in this standard mandatory-equipment list.

Yes. Belgian rules expressly allow temporary use of a spare wheel even where it differs from the vehicle's normal tyre configuration.

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.

No. The Road Code does not establish one universal speed for every spare wheel. Drivers must respect the manufacturer's maximum speed and any other limitations applying to the particular spare.

No. A compact or temporary spare is intended only for short-term emergency use. The damaged normal tyre should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Yes. A spare wheel used on the road must be safe for its intended temporary use. It should have adequate pressure and must not be seriously damaged or deteriorated.

The main grooves of ordinary motor-vehicle tyres must normally be at least 1.6 mm deep. Belgian law allows temporary deviation from certain normal tyre requirements when a spare wheel is being used.

Yes. Since an ordinary spare wheel is not generally compulsory, a vehicle may instead be equipped with a manufacturer-provided tyre-repair kit or another puncture solution.

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.

Move the vehicle as far away from moving traffic as safely possible, activate the hazard warning lights, leave the vehicle safely and follow the Belgian breakdown procedure. The driver must wear the required retro-reflective vest when leaving a broken-down vehicle in the circumstances prescribed by law.

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.

Yes when the vehicle is immobilised in circumstances where the warning-triangle rules apply. On a motorway, Belgian road-safety guidance advises placing the warning triangle at least 100 metres behind the vehicle.

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.

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.

Yes, when this can be done safely. The vehicle should be positioned away from moving traffic where possible, secured against movement and lifted only at the manufacturer's designated jacking point.

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.

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.

No. Belgian traffic rules do not generally require an ordinary passenger car to carry a spare key. Having one is nevertheless useful if the primary key is lost, damaged or its battery fails.

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.