Vehicle Knowledge and Technical Inspection of Lorries
What the annual inspection checks
The Belgian technical inspection (contrôle technique / technische keuring) for lorries covers braking performance, steering, suspension, tyres, lighting and signalling, exhaust emissions, chassis condition and load-securing points. Inspections are periodic and become more frequent with vehicle age for some categories. A failed inspection may result in a limited validity certificate or a prohibition from driving until defects are repaired. Candidates should know that the inspection certificate must be carried in the vehicle and that an expired certificate can lead to immobilisation.
Braking and air systems
Most heavy lorries use compressed-air braking. You must understand that the system needs pressure to release the parking brake, that a low-pressure warning requires stopping, and that the air dryer and drain points need attention. A common exam trap is confusing the service brake, the parking brake and the emergency/auxiliary brake functions. Know that anti-lock braking systems prevent wheel lock but do not shorten stopping distance on every surface.
Tyres and dimensions
Tyre tread depth for lorries is a frequent question: the legal minimum is 1 mm for most heavy vehicle tyres, but operators often set higher internal standards. Check tyre pressure when cold, inspect for sidewall damage and uneven wear, which signals alignment or suspension problems. Overloading and incorrect pressure cause blowouts.
Worked example
A driver notices the low-pressure warning lamp for the air system. The correct response is to stop as soon as it is safe, because continued driving risks brake failure. The rule of thumb: treat any red brake-system warning as an immediate stop, and any amber warning as a fault to be reported and checked before the next journey.