After a long period of speculation, it was announced by email last Thursday 25 July 2024 by the Ministry of Wallonia that the Walloon government's decision (of 21 March) will come into force from 30 July 2024.
Publication in the Belgian Official Gazette is yet to follow.
PLEASE NOTE: with the exception of some articles, there is therefore no transitional period. However, the Ministry of Wallonia did indicate by email that the control services will give escorts the next 6 months to make any adjustments to their vehicles.
PLEASE NOTE: This new legislation only applies in Wallonia. For the Flanders Region and the Brussels Region, the old regulations mentioned in the Royal Decree of 2 June 2010 and its amendments still apply.
Some important changes:
• An exceptional vehicle with a length >22.00m must have retro reflective marking on both sides for at least 80% of the loaded length (this was 100% of the loaded length)
• Minimum of 1 pilotcar prescribed for length >27.00m and less than or equal to 30.00m (this was for length >30.00m and less than or equal to 35.00m)
• Minimum of 1 pilotcar prescribed for width >3.20m and less than or equal to 4.00m (this was for a width >3.50m and less than or equal to 4.50m) • Requirement of 1 pilotcar for weight >90t has been dropped
• Minimum of 2 pilotcars prescribed for length >30.00m and less than or equal to 35.00m (this was in case of length >35.00m and less than or equal to 40.00m)
• Minimum of 2 pilotcars prescribed for width >4.00m and less than or equal to 5.00m (this was for a width >4.50m and less than or equal to 5.00m)
• Requirement of 2 pilotcars for height >4.80m has been dropped
• Requirement of 2 pilotcars for weight >180ton has been dropped
• Requirement of at least 3 attendants with length >35.00m (this was the case with length >40.00m)
• Minimum of 1 pilotcar for rear overhang >3.00m
• If at least 3 pilotcars are required, the use of a motorbike is allowed to replace one of the vehicles
• The traffic coordinator (pilot) speaks at least one of the three national languages
• The traffic coordinator (pilot) and the (truck)driver communicate in the same language. If this is not possible, the driver should use an interpreter who is present next to him
• On motorways or on roads with speed >90km/h (see legal text for exact description) where authorisation requires passage at reduced speed, a signal vehicle with collision absorber can be used instead of the police
• The weekend driving ban has been changed to: Saturday 22:00h to Sunday 24:00h, with the exception of mobile cranes max. 108t and max. 3.00m width and their auxiliary vehicles (this was Saturday 12:00h to Sunday 24:00h, with the exception of mobile cranes max. 96t and max. 3.00m width - the auxiliary vehicles did have to comply with the weekend driving ban)
• Driving ban during public holidays was dropped
• Driving bans in slippery conditions, fog, wind, rain or storm are linked to codes issued by ‘l'institut royal météorologique’
• On motorways, the pilot respect or maintain a distance of two kilometres between exceptional vehicles driving together in separate transports
