The Car Roadworthiness Test

The roadworthiness test is not only important for road safety, but also for environmental protection. What are the specific rules by region, and what are the main recent changes? Our blogger Alain Dierckx did the research for us.

When must you have your vehicle inspected?

The inspection is mandatory from 2 months before the date on which the vehicle reaches 4 years of age, counted from its first registration. After that, it must be inspected every year, within the 2 months preceding the expiry of the last inspection certificate issued.

However, if your vehicle meets the following conditions, it only needs to be inspected every two years:

• you hold a green inspection certificate with no validity restriction after the last periodic inspection
• the vehicle's mileage is below 100,000 kilometres
• you have it inspected on time
• the vehicle is less than 6 years old
• if the vehicle is towing a trailer, the maximum authorised mass of the trailer (750 kg) must not be exceeded.

Can you make an appointment at an inspection centre?

During the Covid period, it was mandatory to make an appointment for the roadworthiness test.

This requirement has been lifted in Flanders, and you can now present your vehicle for inspection without an appointment. However, if you have a specific date in mind, it's best to book an appointment. On this website, you'll find the contact details of Flemish inspection centres by province.

In the Brussels-Capital Region and in Wallonia, booking an appointment remains mandatory. You'll find more information on the roadworthiness test in Brussels here. For Wallonia, visit this website. Inspection fees are available on the inspection centres' websites.

What are the possible results of the inspection?

Depending on the faults found, your vehicle will receive a green or red inspection certificate. In both cases, different levels of severity are possible, for example whether or not you are allowed to keep driving.

Recent changes in Wallonia

Since 1 January 2023, a waiting list exists for people who present their vehicle late, and motorcycles are subject to a roadworthiness test before being sold second-hand and after an accident.

If you live in an area covered by the Autosécurité network, you can log in to the company's website (https://invitation.autosecurite.be) using your identity card or the Itsme system. You can then choose to receive your inspection invitation by email or SMS. However, it's still possible to keep paper invitations.

The inspection of electric cars is identical to that of combustion-engine vehicles, except for emissions measurement, since there are none (except for hybrids). In the future, a battery test could be introduced during the inspection, as is already the case in some regions of Germany.

Recent changes in the Brussels-Capital Region

Since 1 February 2023, people with non-compliant vehicles receive a green inspection certificate noting a fault related to their vehicle's non-compliance with particulate emission rules, along with the need for repair before the next roadworthiness test, often the following year. Motorcycles are subject to a roadworthiness test before being sold second-hand and after an accident.

The inspection of electric cars is identical to that of combustion-engine vehicles, except for emissions measurement, since there are none (except for hybrids). In the future, a battery test could be introduced during the inspection, as is already the case in some regions of Germany.

Recent changes in Flanders

• Due to the high demand at inspection centres, you may not be able to book an appointment in time for your vehicle's inspection. If you meet the conditions for the bonus scheme (inspection every two years) and are less than a month late, you currently do not lose the bonus scheme.
• In January 2023, a pilot project on digital invitations was launched. You will now also receive a digital invitation via the eBox (if you have activated it), in addition to the green reminder card received a few weeks before the inspection certificate's expiry date by post. If this pilot project goes well, it is planned to roll it out across the whole of Flanders.
• On the website www.autokeuring.be, there is now also a busyness indicator you can check to best plan your visit.
• Since 15 June 2023, those who present their vehicle late at inspection centres because of long waiting times will temporarily not pay a surcharge. The condition is that the vehicle is presented for inspection less than a month after the expiry date. This extra time allows drivers to book an appointment or present their vehicle freely.
• Since 2 May 2023, the inspection process is simpler. Some faults that previously led to a mandatory repair and a re-inspection within fifteen days now only require a repair and a check at the next periodic inspection. These include, for example, a missing registration certificate, a missing mudguard, or missing vehicle identification information. In addition, it is no longer necessary to check for the presence of a warning triangle in the car.
• Since 1 November 2022, a specific roadworthiness test for older vehicles has been introduced. This reform creates a clear framework for determining which modifications can be considered safe.
• On 1 January 2023, the Flemish region introduced a roadworthiness test for motorcycles, specifically for motorcycles over 125cc, when sold second-hand and after an accident. Motorcycles are therefore not automatically subject to a periodic inspection. Motorcycles are inspected for safety, environmental impact and noise.
• The inspection of electric cars is identical to that of combustion-engine vehicles, except for emissions measurement, since there are none (except for hybrids). In the future, a battery test could be introduced during the inspection, as is already the case in some regions of Germany.

What further changes are expected in Flanders?

The Flemish Minister for Mobility has tabled a bill aimed at allowing approved garages in Flanders to carry out vehicle inspections. The principle has already been approved by the Flemish government, but the practical details are still being worked out. It is therefore not yet clear which technical faults garages will be able to handle, or how garage approval will be carried out.

Final tip

If you'd like to stay informed about the latest rules and advice regarding vehicle roadworthiness tests, we recommend checking the website of the centre you plan to visit.