On 1st July, the Royal Decree of 26th April 2019 came into force, which exacerbated the penalties for certain offences. Most of them concern truck drivers.
Under these new regulations, Belgium has new rates of fines for certain offences. The decree transfers certain infringements to a higher category (from the first to the second and from the second to the third).
What has changed?
Drivers of trucks with GVW over 7.5 t, who break the overtaking ban during rainfall, can expect a fine of €116. Such behaviour is now a second-degree offence – not a first-degree offence as it has been so far (this was punishable by a fine of €58).
The same amount of the fine (€116) will be imposed on vehicles over 3.5 t occupying the left-hand lane of the motorway. Driving in the emergency lane, on the other hand, will cost the driver €174 as a third-degree offence (it was a second-degree offence until the end of June). Please note that these amounts apply to fines paid on the spot.
Fines for manipulation also higher
In addition, the Belgian government has modified the rates charged immediately after an offence in road freight transport (‘perception immédiate’). We are talking about an infringement of the regulations relating to the waybill, driving and rest periods, tachograph, driver card, etc. According to the Royal Decree of 16 April 2019, as of 6 July, the maximum increased amount of the fine, including surcharges and deductions (décimes additionnels), will increase from €44,000 to €80,000. Other rates also increased.
Please note that in the case of foreign companies, the maximum amounts have increased, i.e. €10,000 if the fine is paid immediately after the inspection.
| Statutory fine until 5 July | Amount of fine with deductions and surcharges until 5 July | Statutory fine from 6 July | Amount of fine with deductions and surcharges from 6 July | |
| Maximum fine (Plafond) | €2,500 | €20,000 | €5,000 | €40,000 |
| Maximum increased fine (Plafond majoré) | €5,500 | €44,000 | €10,000 | €80,000 |
According to Belgian law, drivers of vehicles registered abroad are obliged to immediately pay fines for road traffic offences. If the driver is unable to pay the fine, his vehicle will be seized and parked in the pound. It can only be collected after the payment of a fine and the costs associated with the vehicle parking.
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