Maximum authorised mass and securing

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Maximum authorised mass and load securing: the Belgian rules to follow so you carry a load safely and without a fine.

Coverage, Maximum authorised mass and securing

Lesson objectives

Understand the difference between MMA (Maximum Authorised Mass) and MEC (Actual Mass) Master the rules of securing and fixing loads to ensure safety Identify legal loading obligations and penalties for non-compliance

Maximum Authorised Mass (MMA)

The MMA is the maximum total weight a vehicle can reach, including fuel, driver, passengers and load . This value is determined by the vehicle manufacturer , as they know the technical resistance of the vehicle. With a category B driving licence, you can drive vehicles whose MMA does not exceed 3,500 kg .

MMA (Maximum Authorised Mass)

Maximum total weight a vehicle can reach, determined by the manufacturer. It includes the empty vehicle, fuel, driver, passengers and load. Exceeding this limit compromises safety and violates regulations.

The smaller the car, the lower the MMA; the larger the car, the higher the MMA. The MMA is recorded on your vehicle's registration certificate . If you overload your car beyond its MMA, it no longer meets safety standards and you risk penalties.

Safely loaded vehicle

Actual Mass (MEC)

The MEC is the actual weight of a vehicle at any given moment, with the persons and load actually being transported. It is the weight you would measure if you could put the vehicle on a scale at that precise moment.

MEC (Actual Mass)

Actual weight of the vehicle at any given moment, including fuel, driver, passengers and load actually being transported. The MEC can vary depending on the load, unlike the MMA which is fixed.

Crucial distinction: the MMA is a fixed value recorded on the vehicle's documents, while the MEC is a variable value that depends on what you are actually transporting. Some road signs limit access based on MEC, not MMA. For example, a prohibition sign may indicate "Prohibited to vehicles over 3.5 t", this concerns the MEC at the time of passage.

Comparison of MMA and MEC on a vehicle

Securing and fixing rules

When you transport a load, it must be properly fixed and secured . Your load cannot:

The six prohibitions of article 45.1

The load must be arranged so that, under normal road conditions , it cannot: 1° impair the driver's visibility 2° constitute a danger to the driver, passengers and other road users 3° cause damage to the public road , its dependencies, structures or properties 4° drag or fall onto the public road 5° compromise the stability of the vehicle 6° obscure the lights , reflectors and registration plate Point 6° is most often forgotten: a bicycle on a bike rack that hides the plate or lights puts the vehicle in breach, even if everything is perfectly secured.

Securing: what the code requires in addition

Art. 45.3 , long items must be firmly secured to each other and to the vehicle , so as not to protrude beyond the lateral outline of the vehicle in their oscillations. Art. 45.4 , accessories used to fix or protect the load must be in good condition and correctly used; any element surrounding the load, chain, tarpaulin, net, must do so tightly . Art. 45.5 , the load and its accessories cannot, by their noise , disturb the driver, inconvenience the public or frighten animals. Art. 45.6 , if side or rear doors must exceptionally remain open, they are fixed so as not to exceed the lateral outline of the vehicle. Practical advice: heavy objects go in the boot, low and against the backrest, not on the roof, where they degrade stability and fuel consumption.

Maximum height of a loaded vehicle

The height of a vehicle, including load , must not exceed 4 m . If the loaded vehicle exceeds this limit, it falls into the category of "exceptional transport". Some bridges or tunnels may impose a lower maximum height, indicated by a specific prohibition sign.

Width: a limit that depends on the vehicle

Loaded vehicle (including all projections) Maximum width Motor vehicle, animal-drawn vehicle or trailer 2.55 m , or 2.60 m if the vehicle is 2.60 m according to technical regulations … loaded with cereals, flax, straw or fodder in bulk 2.75 m … and transported within a radius of 25 km from the loading point or border 3 m 3 or 4-wheeled mopeds, tricycles, quadricycles + 0.30 m compared to the empty vehicle, maximum 2.50 m Hand cart 2.50 m Bicycle, two-wheeled moped 1.00 m Motorcycle without sidecar 1.25 m Height, on the other hand, is uniform: 4 metres for a loaded vehicle (art. 46.3), in all three Regions.

Height limitation signs (e.g. « 2.5 m ») apply to all vehicles , regardless of their MMA. Ignoring these signs can cause serious damage to the vehicle and infrastructure, and may result in penalties.

Rear overhang: the real rule

Beware of a common confusion: the 3 metres are not obtained by « posting a sign ». These are two distinct rules. Authorised length (art. 46.2.3): the load may not overhang the rear of the vehicle by more than one metre . The overhang can reach 3 metres , but only when the vehicle is loaded with indivisible items of great length , and 1.50 m for vehicle trains carrying cars. Signalling (art. 47.1): it becomes mandatory as soon as the load overhangs by more than one metre , regardless of the reason for the overhang. In other words: a divisible load that overhangs by 2 m remains prohibited, even if signalled. And an indivisible item that overhangs by 1.50 m is authorised, but must be signalled.

And at the front?

Article 46.2.1 is categorical: under no circumstances may the load overhang the front of the vehicle. Only one exception in the text: vehicle trains used exclusively for the transport of motor vehicles , which may overhang the front by a maximum of 0.50 m . For two-wheelers and similar vehicles, article 46.2.2 sets the rear overhang at a maximum of 0.50 m ; a trailer attached to a cycle without a motor may not exceed, including load, a total length of 2.50 m .

Legal obligations and safety

Compliance with loading rules is mandatory to: Ensure your safety and that of other road users Avoid material damage Comply with Belgian regulations Avoid penalties and fines A poorly secured load can detach at any time, creating a serious danger to traffic.

Load correctly secured and fastened

Key points to remember

MMA : maximum mass set by the manufacturer, entered in the registration certificate; category B licence up to 3,500 kg Laden mass : actual weight at the time in question, this is what the C21 sign refers to Article 45.1 : six prohibitions, visibility, danger, damage to roads, dragging or falling, stability, obscuring lights, reflectors and plate Securing : long items secured together and to the vehicle (45.3), accessories in good condition and fitting tightly (45.4), no annoying noise (45.5), doors open within the gauge (45.6) Height : 4 m including load Width : 2.55 m for a car, but 1.00 m for a bicycle, 1.25 m for a motorcycle, up to 2.75 or 3 m for bulk fodder Rear overhang : 1 m as a general rule, 3 m for indivisible items of great length , 1.50 m for car carriers Signalling mandatory as soon as the overhang exceeds 1 m , this is a separate rule from the authorised length At the front : no overhang, except 0.50 m for car carriers

What now?

First take the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practise on the exam simulator and MCQs . Next lesson: Overhanging loads and passengers .

BelgianLicenses

Theory without practice is forgotten: move on to the MCQs to firmly anchor your learning.