Your car: basics and equipment

Seats in your car

Seats

The seat belt must be worn correctly, over the shoulder and not under the arm.

The driver’s seat must be at least 55 centimetres wide. For passenger seats, a width of 40 centimetres is sufficient.

Every seat must be fitted with a seat belt. You must always wear it correctly: over your shoulder, never under your arm.

Who does not have to wear a seat belt?

A person reversing.

Wearing a seat belt is not compulsory for:

  1. drivers who are reversing
  2. taxi drivers while carrying passengers
  3. drivers and, where necessary, passengers of priority vehicles, when required for their duties
  4. drivers who have a medical exemption
  5. postal workers who have to stop frequently over short distances to deliver letters or parcels

Pregnancy is not considered a medical reason for exemption, so you must still wear a seat belt. Note that “postal workers” refers only to bPost delivery staff. This exemption does not apply to other couriers.

When must a child restraint system be used?

A child restraint system is compulsory in certain circumstances.

If you are carrying children who are under 18 years old and shorter than 1,35 metres, you must use a suitable child restraint system.

If you want to place a rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat, you may only do so if the airbag can be switched off.

In certain circumstances, a child seat is not compulsory.

Children over 3 years old but shorter than 1,35 metres may, in exceptional circumstances, travel in the rear seat using only the seat belt.

This is only allowed for short journeys and when the child is not being transported by their own parents, but by someone else.

What must definitely be in your car?

A first-aid kit or pouch

A first-aid kit or pouch.

A first-aid kit or pouch must always be kept in your car.

A fire extinguisher

A fire extinguisher.

A fire extinguisher must always be kept in your car.

A warning triangle

A warning triangle.

A warning triangle must always be kept in your car.

A high-visibility vest

A fluorescent vest that you wear to be clearly visible.

A high-visibility vest must always be kept in your car.

In principle, one is enough, but it is better to have one for every passenger. Keep it within easy reach, as you may need to put it on as soon as you leave the car.

Documents

The documents you must have in your car.

Documents that must always be kept in the car:

  1. The green (or white) insurance card. You may also show a digital version on your smartphone.
  2. The registration certificate, also known as the vehicle registration document (Part 1; keep Part 2 at home).
  3. The certificate of roadworthiness (if applicable, for example not for a new car).
  4. The certificate of conformity issued by the manufacturer.

Documents you must always carry with you as the driver:

  1. Your driving licence
  2. Your identity card

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