Failure to update your OBU may cost you more. Important change in Belgium from 1 July

From 1 July 2026, the truck toll rate in Flanders will also depend on the vehicle’s CO₂ emission class. According to Viapass data, as many as 93% of vehicles are currently classified in CO₂ emission class 1.

In practice, this means that carriers must verify their vehicle parameters and update the data stored in their OBU device before the new regulations enter into force. The changes are part of the implementation of EU regulations aimed at promoting greener transport fleets. Similar systems are already in operation in Germany, Austria and Denmark.

What will change from 1 July?

The new kilometre-based toll rates will be introduced in all three Belgian regions:
▫️ Brussels-Capital Region - the current toll rates will be indexed,
▫️ Flanders - a CO₂ emission-based component will be added to the toll calculation,
▫️ Wallonia - rates will be adjusted in line with decisions taken by the regional authorities.
The most significant change for transport operators will be the introduction in Flanders of a new parameter based on the vehicle’s CO₂ emission class.

What must carriers do before 1 July?

✅ verify the vehicle’s CO₂ emission class,
✅ prepare the necessary documents (registration certificate, CoC or CIF),
✅ contact their toll service provider,
✅ update the parameters of the OBU device.
Without updated data, the system will not apply the correct emission class when calculating toll charges.

How does the new CO₂ classification system work?

Five CO₂ emission classes will apply in Flanders:
▫️ Class 1 - vehicles with the highest emissions,
▫️ Class 5 - zero-emission vehicles (ZEV).
The principle is simple: the lower the CO₂ emissions, the lower the toll rate.

Vehicles first registered before 1 July 2019 will, as a rule, be automatically assigned to Class 1. According to Viapass, approximately 93% of vehicles covered by the system currently fall into this category. The emission class can be determined using the calculator provided by Viapass based on the information contained in the vehicle documents.

OBU update will be mandatory

Once the CO₂ emission class has been determined, the carrier must update the information stored in the on-board unit (OBU). This cannot be done directly through Viapass. The update must be carried out via the toll service provider and may require the submission of documents confirming the vehicle’s technical parameters. Viapass enables users to generate a document indicating the determined CO₂ emission class, which can then be forwarded to the toll operator for data updates.

The Belgian authorities do not currently plan to expand the toll road network. The changes concern only the toll calculation method and the new rates that will apply from 1 July.