License, registration certificate and third-party liability insurance

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Driving licence, registration certificate and third-party liability insurance: the documents you must carry in Belgium.

Coverage, License, registration certificate and third-party liability insurance

Lesson objectives

Identify the mandatory documents to have permanently on board a vehicle Understand the validity conditions of the license, registration certificate and third-party liability insurance Know the penalties for failure to comply with these obligations

Mandatory documents on board

During a police check, you must be able to present a set of official documents. Belgian law requires that certain documents are always present in the vehicle and that you carry them with you.

What you must be able to present

The driver: his identity card and his driving license The vehicle: the registration certificate , the insurance certificate , and the technical inspection certificate when the vehicle is subject to it The certificate of conformity is used for vehicle registration: it does not need to be kept on board and is not part of the documents to present during a check.

Originals and digital documents

The driving license and registration certificate must be presented in original : a photo or photocopy is not equivalent to the document. The insurance certificate is an exception, as the green card can exist in digital form. A frequently asked question: a certificate of loss or theft does not replace the document. In case of loss, you must report the loss and obtain a duplicate before driving again.

Police check: presentation of documents

Registration certificate

Official identity document of the vehicle, printed on light gray/beige cardboard paper (hence the name "registration certificate"). It mentions the make, type, serial number, registration number and contains essential information such as the Euro standard (section V.9).

Insurance certificate

Document proving that the vehicle is covered by motor third-party liability insurance (third-party insurance). It is the only document that can be presented in digital form during a check.

Driving license

Mandatory personal document that the driver must carry with him. It certifies that the driver is authorized to drive a vehicle. It must be an original paper document.

The driving license: validity and categories

The driving license is a personal document that authorizes the driving of a vehicle. In Belgium, there are different categories of licenses depending on the type of vehicle you wish to drive.

Provisional license: what it prohibits

Belgium only : the provisional license is a national document. Driving abroad is prohibited, including in the European Union. No night driving on weekends : driving is prohibited from Friday 10 p.m. to Saturday 6 a.m. , from Saturday 10 p.m. to Sunday 6 a.m. , from Sunday 10 p.m. to Monday 6 a.m. , as well as the evening before public holidays from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and the evening of the public holiday itself from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. No trailer : towing is prohibited under a provisional license. No free passengers : only the supervisor (or the second supervisor) registered on the document, or a driving school instructor, can be on board, a friend or colleague, no. The L must be affixed to the rear of the vehicle and removed as soon as a driver holding a full license takes the wheel.

Mandatory accessories on board

Article 81.2 of the road code requires that every motor vehicle be equipped with: a warning triangle , one or two fire extinguishers , and a first aid kit , all complying with technical regulations. Add to this the retroreflective safety vest : article 51.4 requires the driver of a broken-down vehicle parked on a motorway or motor road at a location where stopping and parking are prohibited to wear it as soon as he leaves his vehicle . In practice, remember the four: triangle, extinguisher, first aid kit, vest.

The registration certificate: key information

The registration certificate, commonly called "registration certificate", is the official identity document of your vehicle. It contains essential information about the vehicle and must always be on board.

The registration certificate at a glance

Section What it provides Registration number Uniquely identifies the vehicle Make and type Vehicle characteristics Chassis number (VIN) Unique vehicle number Section V.9 Euro standard , this is where it is read, frequently asked exam question Masses (F.1, F.2, O.1, O.2) Vehicle MMA and towing masses

Inside a car with visible documents

Motor third-party liability insurance (third-party insurance): absolute obligation

Motor third-party liability insurance (third-party insurance) is mandatory for any vehicle driving on public roads in Belgium. Without valid insurance, you cannot drive , the vehicle must remain immobilized until reinsured.

Expired insurance = prohibition from driving

If your insurance has expired, it is forbidden to drive the vehicle. This constitutes a serious offense. You must renew your insurance before returning to the road.

Presenting insurance during a police check

During a police check, you must be able to present your insurance certificate. This is the only document you can present in digital form on your phone (PDF, JPEG, etc.). However, it is recommended to also have a paper copy in the vehicle.

Withdrawal, disqualification, unfitness: three different things

Three mechanisms that the exam likes to confuse: Immediate withdrawal of the license: this is a safety measure, ordered by the Public Prosecutor , or, in the cases provided for, by the judicial police officer. It is not the officer who issues the ticket who decides. Disqualification from driving: this is a penalty , and it is pronounced by the judge . Medical unfitness : if a doctor finds that you are no longer fit to drive, you must return your license to the municipal administration within 4 working days , Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays not counted.

What category B license authorizes

Number of people: up to 9 people in total, including the driver , that is 8 passengers. Trailer: a trailer of maximum 750 kg of MMA without condition; beyond that, the combination (vehicle + trailer) cannot exceed 3,500 kg of total MMA. A car of 2,300 kg of MMA therefore only authorizes a trailer of 1,200 kg . Beyond that, you need the BE license. Ages: 17 years old to take the theoretical test, 18 years old for the practical test of category B license.

Before each trip: Check that you have all mandatory documents in original form (except insurance which can be digital). Keep them in an accessible place in the vehicle. In case of loss or theft, report it immediately to the municipality to obtain a duplicate, do not drive with just a loss certificate.

Summary of key points

To present during a police check: identity card and driving license for the driver; registration certificate, insurance certificate and technical inspection certificate for the vehicle The certificate of conformity is used for registration, it is not kept on board Originals for the license and registration certificate; the insurance certificate can be digital A loss certificate does not replace the document: you need a duplicate Mandatory accessories (art. 81.2): warning triangle, fire extinguisher, first aid kit , plus the reflective vest , required by article 51.4 in case of breakdown on motorway Provisional license: Belgium only, no trailer, no passengers except guide or instructor, and prohibition from driving from 22:00 to 6:00 on weekend and public holiday nights Category B license: 9 people including driver; trailer of 750 kg, or combination limited to 3,500 kg of MMA Immediate withdrawal = Public Prosecutor; disqualification = judge; medical unfitness = license returned to municipality within 4 working days Euro standard : section V.9 of the registration certificate

What's next?

First do the quiz for this lesson to validate your knowledge, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . Next lesson: Technical inspection and sanctions .

BelgianLicenses

Theory without practice is forgotten: continue with the MCQs to durably anchor your knowledge.