Speed pedelecBelgique

A Belgian speed pedelec is a two-wheeled vehicle with pedals and an auxiliary drive primarily intended to assist pedalling, with assistance ending at a vehicle speed of no more than 45 km/h.

A speed pedelec with an electric motor may have a nominal continuous maximum power of up to 4 kW.

No. Under the Belgian traffic rules, a speed pedelec belongs to the broader legal category of mopeds, although several special rules distinguish it from ordinary class A and class B mopeds.

You must normally be at least 16 years old to ride a speed pedelec on the public road.

You need at least a category AM driving licence. A licence valid for category A1, A2, A or B also provides access to category AM.

Yes. Both the rider and passenger must wear either an approved moped helmet or an appropriate bicycle helmet that provides the additional protection required for speed-pedelec use.

The bicycle helmet must comply with the applicable approval requirements and provide protection for the temples and the back of the head. Belgian guidance specifies an EN 1078-approved helmet providing this additional protection.

Yes. A speed pedelec must be registered with the DIV and display a registration plate. Belgian speed-pedelec plates begin with S-P.

Yes. A certificate of conformity is required for a speed pedelec. It confirms the vehicle's approved technical classification, although the rider does not normally have to carry the certificate during every journey.

No. A normal speed pedelec whose motor provides pedal assistance and cannot propel the vehicle autonomously above 25 km/h is not subject to compulsory motor-vehicle liability insurance. If the motor can propel the vehicle above 25 km/h without pedalling, compulsory motor-vehicle liability insurance applies.

Where the speed limit is 50 km/h or lower, a speed-pedelec rider may generally choose between the carriageway and an applicable cycle path, provided other cycle-path users are not endangered. Where the speed limit is higher than 50 km/h, the applicable cycle path must normally be used. Supplementary signs can impose different rules.

Yes. Speed pedelecs may use sections indicated by D9 under the applicable speed-based rules. They are not permitted on a D10 pedestrian-and-cycle facility under the current rules.

No. Speed pedelecs belong to the moped category, and mopeds are prohibited on Belgian motorways and autowegen.

Yes, when the vehicle is designed to carry one. The rider must be at least 18 years old to carry a passenger. A speed pedelec may carry no more passengers than its approved seating arrangement permits.

Children younger than 3 years may not be carried. Children from 3 to under 8 years old must be carried using an appropriate child-restraint system that satisfies the applicable requirements.

No. A trailer may be attached for carrying goods where permitted, but persons may not be transported in a trailer attached to a speed pedelec.