Out of scope/exemptions
Are there +3.5 ton trucks that don’t have to pay toll charge?
There are a couple of categories of vehicles that fall outside the scope of the kilometer charge : autonomous vehicles, oldtimers, instruction vehicles to the extent that they do not transport goods, and machine-vehicles (mobile cranes, telehandlers / lifts, excavators, bulldozers, concrete pumps without mixer & dumpers). Some other specific categories are out of scope as well as passenger vehicles (cars, buses, campers…).These categories are subject to strict regulations. You will find more details on the page exemptions/outside scope.
Does the kilometer charge also apply to horse transport?
The kilometer charge is applicable to HWVs of more than 3.5 tons (and N1/BC vehicles), irrespective of the nature of goods they transport. In this respect also trucks for horse transport – whether for private or for competition- fall under the kilometer charge. Therefore, they must drive on the Belgian roads with a switched-on OBU. A couple of exceptions to this rule are to be found on the exemptions page.
A vehicle without OBU can get fines up to 2,400 € per day. This sum can even be asked for immediate payment by the mobile control units.
Do old timers have to pay a kilometer charge?
As from 1 July 2023, the Kilometer Charge in Belgium does not apply to old timer trucks of more than 30 years old. ( RD of 15/3/68 concerning the technical equipment of vehicles) Vehicles registered in Belgium must have an O-license plate in order to drive without an OBU.
The Kilometer charge automatically does not apply to non-Belgian old timer HWVs that fulfil the conditions of the higher mentioned Royal Decree. They can drive without a OBU.
Beware though: these old timers cannot transport any goods. If they do and drive without an OBU fines can get as high as 2,400€ per day. Fraudulent adaptation of the registration papers to make the vehicle look like an old timer can be fined up to 3,000 € per day.
Are Z-license plates exempted, and if not, which values do I need to register for my OBU if I’m driving with Z-license plates (dealer license plates)?
If you are driving trucks with Z plates (test drives, trips to and from technical truck inspection,…) you don’t always know which type of truck you will be driving on a certain day.
Therefore you need to register your OBU at the highest weight class and the lowest emission class of the trucks you will be driving with that Z license plate. Mind that this can be the values of 2 different trucks. You need to scan the vehicle documents of those 2 corresponding vehicles to prove the emission and weight class when registering your Z license plates and OBU.
Please bear in mind that you are at all times responsible for the values that you have registered and that you risk a fine if you use the Z license plates and OBU on vehicles with a higher weight or lower Euro class than actually registered on the OBU.
Which vehicles are exempted from kilometer charge?
The law explicitly specifies a number of categories that are exempt from kilometer charges. These are vehicles that are used exclusively by the military, firefighters, police and medical services. Also tractors for for agriculture, forestry and fish farming which drive seldomly on the public road are exempted. In the case of combined vehicles, the toll only applies if the maximum authorized mass of the tractor intended for freight together with the towing vehicle, is over 3.5 tonnes. Exempted vehicles must mandatory ask for an exemption and get a positive reply.