In the general media coverage, the focus is mainly on speeding and mobile phone use whilst driving. For the transport sector, however, the impact is more far-reaching.

Violations of tonnage restrictions also fall under this stricter penalty regime.

A breach of tonnage limits constitutes a third-degree offence. The immediate fine for this is 174 euros. From 1 July 2026, this amount will be increased by 10 per cent to 191.40 euros. With the administrative surcharge of 10.67 euros, the total will then amount to 202.07 euros.

This change is particularly relevant to the transport sector, especially as breaches of tonnage restrictions are increasingly being detected automatically. However, the exceptions that apply in many tonnage zones , such as the exemption for local traffic are not always taken into account. A truck that needs to reach a loading or unloading point within the zone may well be entitled to use the road in question.

In practice, we find that such fines are regularly imposed without all the factual circumstances having been investigated.

Has your company received an immediate fine for disregarding a tonnage restriction? If so, this does not necessarily mean that the fine was rightly imposed.

ITL Attorneys Belgium regularly handles cases in which it has been successfully demonstrated that the vehicle was engaged in local traffic.

We would be happy to investigate whether a defence is possible in your case

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