You must always be able to present your onboard documents during a police check. For most documents, you must have the original in the car, as copies are not accepted. One exception: the insurance certificate (the former green card) may be shown digitally or printed since 2020.
The documents in your car
- Registration certificate: since 2013, this consists of two parts. Part I (vehicle) must always be in the car, while part II (home) is kept at home.
- Certificate of conformity: proves that your vehicle meets the technical regulations. You receive it upon purchase.
- Insurance certificate: shows that your car has at least third-party liability insurance. This is the only document that may also be digital or printed.
- Inspection certificate: required once your car is older than 4 years.
As a driver, you must also always carry your driver's license (appropriate for the category, so for a car, a category B license) and your identity card.
Technical requirements: tires
The road code imposes strict requirements on the condition of the vehicle. The minimum tread depth for car tires is 1.6 millimeters throughout Belgium. With smoother tires, you risk disapproval, and it is a serious error on the exam.
The load: allowed dimensions
- At the front: the load must never extend beyond the front of the car, not even a centimeter.
- At the rear: up to a maximum of 1 meter without additional signaling.
- Up to 3 meters: only for indivisible long items (such as a ladder), with a red-white reflective sign of 50 by 50 cm at the end. In darkness, a red light and reflectors must also be added. A regular, divisible load must therefore never extend more than 1 meter.
In width, your vehicle with load must not measure more than 2.55 meters, and in height not more than 4 meters.
Frequently asked questions
Only the insurance certificate may be digital or printed. The other documents must be original in the car.
Up to 1 meter without signaling. Up to 3 meters only for indivisible long items, with a red-white sign.
As soon as your car is older than 4 years.
Do you know all the onboard documents and technical requirements?
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Last updated: June 2026 · Content verified by Mathieu, instructor · Source: the Belgian Highway Code