Cops' Corner
Annual Road Tax
Be aware that the Registration Office is solely in charge of printing invoices
produced by the Service Public Fédéral Finances Brussels and to send them to the addresses.
The Registration Office recommends you to address an email to the concerned service if you notice
any discrepancy in the amount you have to pay, the vehicle which is taxed
or if you wish to be refunded because you sold a vehicle.
The Service Public Fédéral Finances is the sole authority entitled to make decisions on road tax.
An email written in English can be sent to the following address:
rec.contr.auto@minfin.fed.be
<mailto:rec.contr.auto@minfin.fed.be>
Do not forget to mention the “N° de reference” which appears on the invoice and your SHAPE ID number.
Highway and Use of the Public Space Code.
Behaviour towards weakest users of the thoroughfare!
Who are they? Bicycle and mopped riders, pedestrians, children, the elderly…
It is forbidden for DRIVERS to endanger the weakest users of the road.
Therefore we remind you that:
- Waiting and parking are forbidden on a pedestrian crossing or a crossing for cyclists and mopeds, and on roads less than 5 meters from these crossings.
- Waiting and parking is forbidden on pavements and on raised verges.
- Parking is forbidden where these weakest users must proceed onto the road to pass or drive around an obstacle.
- Before opening the door(s) of your vehicle, you must pay attention to and look out for the weakest users.
- You must keep a distance of at least ONE meter between your vehicle and the cyclist or the moped rider.
- It is forbidden to endanger pedestrians walking on a crossing as well as cyclists or mopeds using a crossing for them.
- It is forbidden to overtake a vehicle stopped in front of a crossing.
- All drivers have to reduce their speed and give way to pedestrians and cyclists while approaching a pedestrain crossing or changing direction.
During the past few weeks, there have been several incidents where accidents have nearly occurred due to some drivers’ total disregard for the pedestrian crossings.
SHAPE Federal Police and Traffic Section wish to remind you of a few basic rules regarding driver conduct with regard to pedestrians, cyclists and moped riders.
In a few words: you must
pay twice as much attention to these weakest users.
BE WATCHFUL!
KEEP IN MIND YOU ARE NOT ALONE ON THE ROAD!!!
Thank you for making the roads safer.
The Annual Technical Inspection of your Vehicle
(Control Technique)
A regular technical inspection is part of the requirements in order to increase security on the road, among many measures taken by the Belgian Government.
A vehicle which is properly and regularly serviced is as important for your security as for the other users of the public highways.
Any vehicle which is four years old or older, has to be inspected every year by the Belgian Safety System (Control Technique).
It is mandatory under Belgian law. Failing to do so makes you liable to judicial procedure and in the case of an accident, your insurance company might make you fully responsible and refuse to pay for the damages you may have caused.
Do not wait to be told to present your vehicle to the annual inspection.
Take appropriate measures to go every year before the expiry date of your current certificate or before the anniversary date of your vehicle (the anniversary date is the date the vehicle was registered for the first time anywhere in the world)
Where to go? There are many Control Technique stations in Belgium . You should be able to find one close to SHAPE, your place of work or your home. You do not know where to go? Visit http://www.goca.be/frames/newdesignFR.asp. Click contrôle technique', then adresses' and look for the Province where you live. You will then find the closest station to you.
Don't be caught! Forewarned is forearmed.
Any questions? Feel free to contact us in the Registration Office.
Security on the road is the responsibility of all of us.
Your SHAPE Federal Police thank you for helping them making the roads safer.