Driving a truck to Belgium: what you need to know about the kilometer charge
Are you driving a truck to Belgium? Then you will have to deal with the Belgian toll system, officially known as the kilometer charge. This applies to all trucks for goods transport with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) above 3.5 tons and to certain N1 vehicles with body code BC. Are you driving a lighter vehicle? Then you do not need an OBU.
To comply with the rules, the vehicle must be equipped with an On Board Unit (OBU): a device that automatically records your mileage and calculates the correct toll. This allows you to drive without any worries in accordance with Belgian legislation.
How exactly does an OBU work?
The On Board Unit (OBU) uses satellite technology (GNSS) to determine exactly which roads you are driving on. On most roads, you pay a 0 rate, but as soon as you enter a toll road, the costs are calculated automatically. This means you don't have to keep track of anything yourself. The rate depends on: the region (Flanders, Brussels, or Wallonia), the vehicle weight, and the Euro emission standard.
Important to know: the OBU must always be switched on, even on roads where you don't pay tolls. This will help you avoid a fine.
Where can you get an OBU?
You can request an OBU from various authorized service providers, such as Satellic, Axxès, Telepass, Toll4Europe, TotalEnergies en W.A.G. Payment Solutions. At Satellic, you pay a deposit of €135, which you will get back when you return the device in good condition. Other providers often work with subscriptions, depending on how often you enter Belgium.
Fines and checks
In Belgium, strict checks are carried out, not only on major highways but also by mobile teams. If you drive without an active OBU or if your vehicle details are incorrect, you risk a fine of €100 to €1000. Therefore, make sure that your license plate number, weight, and emission standard are always correctly registered.
Important: when renting a truck from DIKS, you as the renter are responsible for arranging and correctly using the OBU in Belgium.
Important updates
From July 1, 2025, the rates will change and the toll road network will be modified in a few places, for example around Antwerp. The OBU software will be updated automatically, so you don't need to do anything yourself.
Traveling to Belgium with a DIKS truck
Are you planning to travel to Belgium with a truck soon? At DIKS, you can easily rent the right vehicle, without any fine print or surprises. You can arrange the OBU yourself with one of the official providers. This way, you can be sure that you are always well prepared when you hit the road.
Passenger cars
Compact, hatchback, SUV, MPV or station.
Passenger buses
5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 person buses.
Delivery vans
Small, medium and large.
Frequently asked questions
We hope this FAQ helps you with any questions or concerns. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us!
The strength of DIKS
What started in 1949 with grandpa Diks has grown into DIKS: your reliable partner for car rental, car sharing, short lease and storage rental. From Volkswagen vans in the 1960s to our iconic blue vans, DIKS always thinks ahead. Whether you need a car, bus, van or storage space, at DIKS we are happy to help you on your way with the right transport and space you need, at a fair price and with no surprises.