Free Workbook · 10 lessons

Vehicle checks, tyres & loads

Inspect tyres and brakes, understand ABS and ESP, read road markings, protect vulnerable road space and secure passengers and loads.

Visual comparisons, memory cards and a fixed 20-question English test with five choices

Decision overview

A load must pass all three checks

RecogniseTotal and axle mass

InterpretStay within the vehicle's documented limits

Do not use Category B's 3,500 kg limit as your car's payload allowance.

RecogniseRestraint and stability

InterpretSecure heavy items low and centrally

Avoid loose cargo and excessive roof weight.

RecogniseLights and registration plate

InterpretKeep them visible

Use compliant repeat lighting/plate arrangements when a carrier obscures them.

Part 1

The safety check before every journey

A quick inspection can reveal defects before they become emergencies. Look, listen and feel for changes in the vehicle.

ComponentCheckWarning signs

🔧BrakesPedal feel, fluid level and braking responseSpongy pedal, grinding, pulling or warning lamp.

🛞TyresPressure, tread and visible conditionBelow 1.6 mm, cracks, bulges or uneven wear.

💡Lights and indicatorsConfirm every required lamp worksDim, flickering or failed lamp.

🪞MirrorsClean, secure and correctly adjustedCracked, loose or obscured mirror.

🪟Windscreen and wipersClear view and effective wipingVision-area crack or streaking blade.

💨ExhaustListen and check for fumesUnusual noise, visible smoke or fumes in cabin.

🎛️Steering and suspensionNormal response, no excessive playPulling, vibration, leaning or repeated bouncing.

🛡️Seat belts and hornLocking, retraction and operationFraying, failed lock or weak horn.

Part 2

Tyres and brakes: read the warning signs

🛞

Tyres

1.6 mm legal minimum

Check the tyre pressure when the tyres are cold. Replace damaged tyres and investigate cracks, bulges or uneven wear.

Correct pressure and even tread

Bulges, exposed cords or illegal tread

🛑

Brakes

Pedal feel must remain predictable

Squealing can warn of wear; grinding or a persistent red warning requires immediate attention.

Firm, consistent response

Spongy pedal, pulling or grinding

Part 3

Recover from a skid without panic

Skid typeWhat happensSafer response

🔧Rear-wheel skid · oversteerThe rear slides outward.Ease off smoothly and steer toward the direction of the skid.

🛞Front-wheel skid · understeerThe vehicle continues straighter than intended.Ease off, do not add steering, and wait for front grip to return.

💡Four-wheel loss of gripThe whole vehicle slides.Ease off pedals and use smooth, minimal steering.

Part 4

ABS and ESP help—but physics remains in charge

ABS

Brake firmly and hold

ABS helps prevent wheel lock so steering remains possible. Pedal pulsing is normal: do not pump or release the brake.

Firm pressure + steer if needed

Do not pump the pedal

ESP

Stability assistance

ESP can brake individual wheels and reduce power. A flashing lamp means active intervention; a continuously lit lamp can indicate a fault.

Flashing → slow down smoothly

Never use it as permission to drive faster

Part 5

Secure the load around the centre of gravity

BrakingLOAD → FORWARD

AccelerationLOAD → BACKWARD

CorneringLOAD → OUTWARD

Load checkRule

🔧Heavy itemsPlace low, central and against a secure restraint.

🛞Roof rackFit correctly and respect both vehicle and rack limits.

💡SecuringUse suitable straps, nets or a cargo barrier.

🪞VisibilityKeep required mirrors, lamps and sight lines usable.

🪟Registration plateKeep it fully visible.

💨DimensionsCheck the exact vehicle/load limits and marking requirements; do not rely on one simplified overhang number.

Part 6

Trailers and passengers: use authorised limits

750 kgTrailer MAM within the basic Category B rule

3,500 kgMaximum combined MAM for B when the trailer exceeds 750 kg

1.35 mBelow this height, an appropriate child restraint is required

Part 7

Steering, permanent lines and temporary orange markings

👐

Control the wheel

Use both hands whenever driving conditions permit. A balanced 9-and-3 position suits modern airbags; keep the arms slightly bent and never hook the thumbs inside the rim.

Smooth, controlled steering

No crossed-arm panic corrections

🟠

Roadworks

Temporary orange markings override conflicting permanent white markings. Solid and broken orange lines retain the corresponding rules on crossing.

Follow orange when both are visible

Do not follow obsolete white guidance

Line on your sideMay you cross?Rule

🔧Broken white✓ When otherwise safe and legalMay guide lane changes, turns or overtaking.

🛞Solid white✕ Normally prohibitedA serious exam error when crossed unlawfully.

💡Broken + solidRead your sideThe line immediately on your side controls the initial crossing; after a lawful overtake, return to the correct side as the road marking permits.

🪞Temporary orangeFollow itIt overrides conflicting permanent white guidance at roadworks.

Part 8

Cycle tracks, central lanes and reserved public-transport space

Road featureHow to recognise itCar rule

🔧Marked cycle trackPrescribed sign or legal parallel-line markingNo driving, stopping or parking except where a lawful crossing is required.

🛞Coloured advisory stripColour without the prescribed sign/markingNot automatically a legal cycle track; other restrictions may still apply.

💡Central-lane roadCentral traffic space with side strips for vulnerable usersDrive centrally and use a side strip only when allowed and without endangering its users.

🪞Rush-hour laneLane-control signals above the hard shoulderGreen arrow = open; red cross = closed. Obey the displayed speed.

🪟Special tram/bus siteSolid boundary or chequered markingCross only for a permitted property/parking access, junction or obstacle situation; do not stop or park there.

Part 9

MAM, loads, road-user status and approved seating

Maximum authorised mass (MAM) is the legal maximum for the vehicle when loaded—not the weight measured only today. It includes the vehicle, occupants, fuel and cargo and is set in the approval documents.

ItemCorrect ruleMemory cue

🔧Category B vehicleMAM up to 3,500 kgB = 3.5 t

🛞Roof box or rackRespect roof/rack limits; remove it when unusedMore drag = more consumption

💡Rear bicycle carrierSecure it and keep required lights and plate visibleDuplicate lights/plate when required

🪞Person pushing a bicycle/mopedTreated as a pedestrian; use pedestrian space where requiredPush = pedestrian

🪟Riding a bicycle / riding or leading a horseTreated as a driver under the road codeRide/horse = driver

💨Driver / two-passenger front bench55 cm + 40 cm + 40 cm = 135 cm study total55 + 40 + 40

Exam memory

1.6 · orange wins · 3,500 · lights visible · load low

1.6Tyre tread

Legal minimum in millimetres.

🟠Orange wins

Temporary roadworks guidance overrides white.

ABSFirm and hold

Do not pump an ABS brake pedal.

📦Heavy load low

Centre and restrain it.

3,500Category B

Maximum vehicle MAM in kilograms.

💡Keep visible

Lights and registration plate.

1.35Child height

Below this, use an appropriate restraint.

Chapter referencesBelgian tyre guidance ↗Brussels-Capital road-safety guidance · child restraints ↗

Vehicle checks, tyres & loads

Tyres

Brakes

Brake firmly and hold

Stability assistance

Control the wheel

Roadworks

20-question chapter test