Licence plateBelgium

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Traffic rules

Belgium

60. Licence plate

A licence plate, also called a registration plate or number plate, is a plate displaying a unique registration identifier assigned to a vehicle by the competent registration authority. It allows the vehicle to be identified for purposes such as registration, traffic enforcement, taxation, insurance and parking control.

The appearance, format, placement and number of plates required vary between countries and vehicle categories. Drivers must ensure that required licence plates are correctly fitted, clearly visible and legible and must follow the local rules when a plate is lost, stolen, damaged or replaced.

Licence plate of Belgium.
Wikimedia.org • Ralf_Roletschek • GFDL

Who issues Belgian licence plates?

Belgian registration plates are issued through the Vehicle Registration Service (DIV) of the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport when a vehicle is registered.

Must a vehicle be registered before it can be driven in Belgium?

Yes, as a general rule. A vehicle may only be put into circulation once it has been registered and carries the registration plate assigned to that registration, subject to the specific legal exemptions for certain vehicle categories.

Which plate is the official Belgian registration plate?

For an ordinary car, the rear plate bearing the official DIV mark is the official registration plate issued by the DIV. The plate at the front is a reproduction of the registration number.

Do Belgian cars need a front licence plate?

Yes. A reproduction of the registration plate must be fitted to the front of the vehicle. Motorcycles, mopeds, speed pedelecs and trailers are among the vehicle categories that do not require such a front plate.

Where is the front registration plate fitted in Belgium?

For vehicles required to carry one, the front reproduction is fitted in the centre of the vehicle or to the left of the centre.

What does a normal Belgian licence plate look like?

A standard Belgian registration plate has a white background with ruby-red characters and border. European-format plates also have a blue band containing the European stars and the white country identifier B.

Must a Belgian licence plate remain visible and readable?

Yes. The registration plate and its reproduction must be securely attached, remain visible at all times and normally be readable in clear daylight from at least 40 metres, with shorter prescribed distances for certain smaller plate formats.

May you cover a Belgian registration plate with a transparent protector?

No. Belgian rules state that a registration plate or its reproduction may not be covered, even with a transparent material. Alterations that could create confusion about its characters are also prohibited.

What if a bicycle rack covers the rear licence plate?

If a rear-mounted bicycle rack covers the registration plate, a reproduction of the plate must also be fitted to the bicycle rack so that the registration number remains visible.

What plate does a Belgian trailer under 750 kg display?

A trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kg is generally not separately registered and must display a reproduction of the towing vehicle's official registration plate at the rear.

Can you keep your Belgian plate when changing vehicles?

Yes, in certain circumstances. When changing vehicle, you currently have four months to register another vehicle under the same plate number when the new vehicle falls within the same plate category.

What should you do if you no longer need your Belgian registration plate?

If you are not keeping it for another eligible vehicle, the official rear plate bearing the DIV mark must be returned to the DIV for deregistration. The front reproduction is not the official plate used for deregistration.

What should you do if your Belgian licence plate is lost or stolen?

You must report the loss or theft to the police. The police record the involuntary loss and the registration plate is deregistered. The appropriate re-registration or replacement procedure must then be followed.

Can you have a personalised licence plate in Belgium?

Yes. Personalised registration plates are available for several vehicle categories. The chosen combination is subject to Belgian formatting rules and may contain a maximum of eight characters in addition to the mandatory DIV seal position.

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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 ...