From 1 January 2019 vehicles that are registered as old-timer in Flanders must undergo a periodic technical inspection. The exemption from the obligation to inspect old-timers had already expired on 20 May 2018. The purpose of this obligation is to ensure road safety. Depending on the age, a vehicle must be subjected to an annual, biennial or five-yearly inspection. The first periodic inspection will take place in phases, spread over 2019 and 2020. With this amendment to the legislation, Flanders follows the European directive 2014 / 45 / EU.
Annually, bi-annually or five-year to the inspection
The new Flemish legislation contains three inspection regimes for vintage cars. The age refers to the date of the first registration. Vehicles with an age from 25 to 30 years must pass the inspection annually. Vehicles with an age from 30 up to 50 years must pass the inspection every two years. And vehicles with an age older than 50 years will have to be inspected every five years.
Certain vehicles, with an old-timer license plate or a personalized license plate with an old-timer vignette, are nevertheless exempt from this periodic inspection. These are vehicles for slow transport, vehicles equipped with tracks, certain agricultural vehicles and motorcycles.
First inspection spread over 2019 or 2020
In Flanders, there are such 120.000 vehicles registered as old-timer. To avoid a rush at the inspection centers, the first periodic inspection will take place in phases. The vintage cars with a first registration between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1993 must present themselves for inspection in 2019. And the owners of cars that are registered for 1 January 1990 only have to come to the inspection with their vehicle in 2020.
Reminder via calling card
Those responsible sent 2018 in November the calling cards for this inspection were sent to the owners of the vintage cars in November 2018, and those cards serve as an administrative reminder. In most cases the notice card states the date on which the owners must have the vehicle inspected at the latest. Owners who have not received a card or have not been given a date can calculate the time of the inspection themselves based on the reference date. That is the day and month of the first entry into service. Owners can find this information on the registration certificate at the date of the first registration. A vehicle can be offered for a periodic inspection from two months before the reference date. If the client decides to offer the vehicle earlier, the reference date will be brought forward to the date on which the vehicle is offered.
Too late or not to the inspection?
If a vehicle is presented too late at the inspection, a surcharge will be charged. That amounts to a minimum of € 8,30 and increases as the period is exceeded. The maximum surcharge is € 29,60 euros. Not receiving a calling card is not a valid reason not to go to the inspection. In addition, not offering a vehicle also has consequences for the insurance. In the event of an accident, the insurance company may refuse to reimburse the costs. The police will also issue a fine if an owner or driver cannot present a test certificate during an inspection.
How does an old-timer inspection proceed?
The inspection of the vintage cars will be similar to a standard inspection. For example, the seat belts, the condition of the tires, the brakes and the lights are always checked. For the environmental standard, the date of the first admission of the vehicle is taken into account. The rates for the periodic old-timer inspection are the same as those for the periodic inspection. And the cost price is determined by the tests that are performed.
What is a Flanders a classic car?
A vehicle falls under the category classic car if it has been in circulation for more than 25 years and is registered with the Vehicle Registration Service (DIV) under 'O-plate' (old-timer plate). The entry into service is not the same as the age of a vehicle. Vehicles with an O-number plate may not be used for commercial and professional use, commuting and school traffic, remunerated transport and as a tool or tool for intervention assignments.
More information?
You can read more information on the website www.vlaanderen.be/nl/periodieke-oldtimerkeuring.