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Construction vehicleBelgium

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Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Belgium

85. Construction vehicle

A construction vehicle is a vehicle or mobile machine designed or adapted for work connected with construction, roadworks, excavation, lifting or the movement of materials. Examples include excavators, loaders, bulldozers, road rollers, mobile cranes, dump trucks and concrete mixers.

Construction vehicles vary greatly in size, speed and legal classification. Some are ordinary road vehicles, while others are specialised machines intended mainly for use on construction sites. When travelling on public roads, they must comply with the applicable registration, licensing, lighting, dimensions, weight, speed and traffic rules.

Construction vehicle
An excavator doing some construction work. (Poland)
Wikimedia.org • Sunridin • CC BY
What is considered a construction vehicle in Belgium?

There is no single Belgian legal category called construction vehicle. Depending on its design and purpose, a construction vehicle may be classified as a goods vehicle, slow vehicle, vehicle of special construction, mobile crane or another vehicle category.

What is a Belgian vehicle of special construction?

A vehicle of special construction is a vehicle primarily designed or permanently converted to function as a tool, with almost no payload compared with its tare weight. The category includes certain self-propelled industrial machines.

What is a slow construction vehicle in Belgium?

A Belgian vehicle for slow transport is a motor vehicle whose construction and origin limit its nominal maximum speed to 40 km/h or less.

Can a construction vehicle travel on Belgian public roads?

Yes, when its legal classification and technical requirements permit road use. The vehicle must comply with the registration, technical, lighting, dimensional and other requirements applicable to its particular category.

Which driving licence is required for a construction vehicle in Belgium?

The required licence depends on the legal classification and characteristics of the vehicle. Ordinary goods vehicles normally fall within categories B, C1 or C according to their authorised mass, while special rules exist for certain industrial vehicles of special construction.

Can a category B licence be used for certain Belgian construction machines?

Yes, in a specific case. A category B licence may be used to drive an industrial vehicle of special construction with a design speed of no more than 40 km/h when travelling between construction sites less than 5 km apart or when operating within a port area.

Do flashing amber lights give a construction vehicle priority in Belgium?

No. Orange-yellow flashing lights warn other road users of a special task, obstruction or danger but do not give the vehicle the priority rights associated with a priority vehicle using blue lights and a siren.

When may a Belgian construction vehicle use flashing amber lights?

Orange-yellow flashing lights may be used while the vehicle is actually performing the task for which those lights are authorised or when its presence on the public road creates an obstruction or danger to traffic.

Can a slow construction vehicle use a Belgian motorway?

No. Motorway access is prohibited to vehicles or combinations that cannot reach 70 km/h on a level road. A construction machine limited by design to 40 km/h therefore cannot use a motorway under the ordinary rules.

Can an oversized construction vehicle travel on Belgian roads?

Yes, but special rules may apply. If the vehicle exceeds the normal permitted dimensions or masses, it may qualify as an exceptional vehicle and require a specific permit and compliance with the route and safety conditions imposed for that journey.

Which sign warns of construction or roadworks in Belgium?

The Belgian A31 warning sign warns road users that there are works ahead. Temporary signs, barriers and orange road markings may also be used to guide traffic through the work zone.

Can construction-site personnel control traffic in Belgium?

Yes, in the circumstances provided by law. A site supervisor responsible for protecting roadworks personnel may give traffic-control indications and may use the prescribed C3 stop disc to stop traffic.

1 Belgium 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Speed bump 12 Customs 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Priority road 22 Road narrowing 23 Priority over oncoming traffic 24 Give way to oncoming traffic 25 Pedestrian crossing 26 Railway crossing 27 Mandatory direction 28 Turn prohibition 29 School area 30 Crossing animals 31 Rockfall 32 Curve 33 Chevron 34 Wrong-way driving 35 Roadworks 36 Height limit 37 Width limit 38 Weight limit 39 Radar speed sign 40 Selective barriers 41 Intersection direction sign 42 Priority at the next junction 43 Traffic lights 44 Pedestrian lights 45 Driving licence 46 Location marker 47 Traffic mirror 48 International border 49 Cycling route 50 Parking 51 No parking 52 Kiss and ride 53 Parking meter 54 Traffic management 55 Reversing 56 Uncontrolled crossroad 57 Road surface 58 Ring road 59 Cycle highway 60 Licence plate 61 Charging station 62 Dangers 63 Turn on red 64 Identity card 65 Fire risk 66 Pedestrian 67 Moped 68 Car 69 Truck 70 Bus 71 Police 72 Ambulance 73 Tram lights 74 European emission standard 75 Pothole 76 Public square 77 Path 78 Particulates 79 Air pollution 80 Rush hour 81 Road code 82 Street gutter 83 Cargo bike 84 Forestry vehicle 85 Construction vehicle 86 Semi-trailer truck 87 Trolleybus 88 Speed pedelec 89 Delivery vehicle 90 Idling 91 Tow truck 92 Four-wheel drive 93 No vehicles 94 Bicycle 95 Motorcycle equipment 96 Railcar 97 Rail track 98 Public transport 99 Caravan 100 Trailer ...