Belgian Driver’s License B Rules Extended for Heavy Electric Vans
Drivers in Belgium holding a standard category B driver’s license for at least two years can continue operating heavier electric and hydrogen-powered commercial vans until November 26, 2027. The Belgian government extended the existing trial period through a royal decree issued on June 24, 2026, pushing back the original three-year sunset date established when the pilot launched on September 1, 2023.
The regulatory exception permits drivers with two years of experience on a standard license to operate alternative-fuel delivery vans with a maximum authorized mass exceeding the typical 3.500 kilogram limit, up to a ceiling of 4.250 kilogram. This accommodation addresses the substantial weight penalty introduced by heavy battery packs and hydrogen fuel systems in commercial vehicles, which would otherwise push standard-sized cargo vans past traditional weight thresholds and require an upgraded commercial license.
Transition to EU Directive 2025/2205
The extension serves as an interim bridge toward harmonized European Union transportation rules. Beginning November 26, 2027, the Belgian royal decree will be formally amended to transpose European Parliament and Council Directive 2025/2205, enacted on October 22, 2025.
Once the EU directive takes effect across member states, the 4.250 kilogram exemption for experienced category B license holders operating zero-emission freight vehicles will become permanent EU law. Until that date, the extended Belgian national trial framework governs domestic fleet operations.
Vehicle Eligibility and Weight Limits
The weight allowance does not apply automatically to every commercial vehicle heavier than 3.500 kilogram. The exemption remains strictly limited to vans featuring an electric motor or hydrogen propulsion system where the extra mass stems directly from the zero-emission drivetrain.
Fleet operators and drivers must verify that the vehicle’s specific propulsion technology and total authorized mass fall within the 4.250 kilogram threshold defined by the decree, while ensuring the driver meets the mandatory two-year licensing tenure. Vehicles powered by conventional internal combustion engines remain bound by the strict 3.500 kilogram ceiling for standard driver’s licenses.
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