General requirements - part 1

Extra information most important technical requirements for vehicles

Legally, your motorcycle must meet quite a few technical requirements. Normally speaking, you can assume that a motorcycle you buy new will meet all these requirements. If something breaks, this can mean that the motorcycle no longer meets these requirements. If you have the broken parts fixed or replaced for original parts, the motorcycle will have to continue to meet these requirements.

Two-wheeled and light three-wheeled motorcycles are not subject to a mandatory annual inspection, like the APK for passenger cars. You are responsible for the state of the motorcycle yourself. An annual inspection at a good motorcycle shop is therefore recommended.

The technical requirements generally come down to the same thing. All parts must be in good condition, work properly and be mounted correctly.

extra verlichting — If you modify things on the motorcycle yourself, such as extra lighting, this could mean that the motorcycle no longer meets the requirements.

motor aanpassingen — Also, if you modify things on the engine block, the motorcycle may have to be re-approved.

Own modifications

If you modify things on the motorcycle yourself, this can mean that it no longer meets the requirements as mentioned in the vehicle registration register. In that case, the motorcycle must be re-approved. With this, think of:

adding extra weight;
extension of the wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheel);
changing the engine block;
changing the power output (more than 20%);
changing the number of seats;
changing the noise level (for example, mounting a different exhaust).

As long as the motorcycle has not been re-approved in this situation, it may not be ridden!

Red retroreflector

Because a parked and turned off motorcycle usually does not run lighting, it is poorly visible in the dark. To prevent other drivers from driving into it, a red retroreflector must always be present on the rear of the vehicle. Without this retroreflector, you may not park your motorcycle anywhere on the public roads (including the verge!).

Retroreflector: Retro-reflectors reflect light back in the same direction it came from, making the vehicle on which they are mounted more visible to other road users. Their colour (red, amber or white) depends on where they are located on the vehicle.

reflectoren — Retroreflectors come in different colours and make sure that vehicles are also visible when parked in the dark.

verlichting reflector — In addition to the retroreflector in the light fitting, there is often a separate red retroreflector at the back of the motorcycle.

Vehicle registration number

A motorcycle can be recognised from its number plate and the vehicle identification number (VIN). This means that:

the motorcycle must also comply with the data on the vehicle registration card and in the vehicle registration register;
the motorcycle must be fitted with a well mounted and clearly legible original number plate with approval mark;
the VIN must be stamped into the chassis, frame or similar structure and must be clearly legible. If it has been (partially) removed, it could mean that the motorcycle was once stolen.

Dimensions and weights

Unladen weight: Mass (weight) of the vehicle in running order (as delivered from the dealer) decreases with 7 kg, or as stated on the vehicle registration certificate.
Load: All persons that you transport in or on the vehicle and goods that you transport in, on or to the vehicle.
Load carrier: Removable or retractable construction meant for transporting goods and resources. Think of a luggage carrier or luggage rack in the back of the motorcycle or three-wheeled vehicle.

Motorcycles may not be longer than 4 metres, wider than 2 metres and higher than 2.5 metres.
This also applies including load and a possible sidecar.

Exhaust system

The exhaust system must be gas tight, properly mounted and may not produce too much sound. How much this may be, is mentioned in the vehicle registration register. During a check you may exceed this limit by a maximum of 2 decibels. If you mount a different exhaust, you must properly check whether it exceeds this limit.

Speedometer

The speedometer is the only meter on the dashboard that must be present. This meter indicates how fast you are riding. The meter must work properly and must be clearly legible (lighted) in the dark.

verlichte snelheidsmeter — You often find more lighted meters on the dashboard, but only the speedometer is required.