Fewer cars obliged to attend car inspection
The every two years car inspection will be extended to cars that are up to 8 years old and have less than 160,000 kilometres on the clock. Since July last year, this biennial inspection applied to cars up to 6 years old, now an additional 2 years will be added.
From 1 July, passenger cars, dual-use cars, hearses and minibuses up to 8 years old will be given a test certificate valid for 2 years, if they pass inspection. On July 1, 2026, even passenger cars up to 10 years old will also be able to enjoy this relaxation of the rules.
Flemish local public transport operator De Lijn adjusts its schedule
De Lijn's offerings change from today. The aim is to ensure services are more in line with available capacity, passengers don’t miss connections and the changes also take account of major diversions.
Some lines will cease to exist or only run on certain days or during the rush hour. Some bus services will also operate more frequently on certain lines and there are also several new lines.
Passengers can find the new timetable on De Lijn's website.
Comparing energy contracts gets easier thanks to QR code
From 1 July, every invoice for electricity and natural gas will have to include a unique QR code. That code should make it easier for consumers to compare their energy contract with other formulas on the market.
‘Customers can scan that QR code and see how their contract compares with other contracts,’ says Barbara Janssens of the Flemish utility regulator, formerly called VREG.
Consumers who scan the code will be directed to an online comparison module. There the user gets an overview with colour codes - from green (cheapest) to red (most expensive). This makes it clear at a glance how cheap or expensive the current contract is, both for electricity and natural gas.
Taxi drivers in Flanders obliged to speak Dutch
After several postponements, taxi drivers in Flanders will now have to meet the Dutch language requirement. Drivers will be required to obtain a B1 level of Dutch. The language requirement is also linked to the taxi driver permit, which is mandatory in Flanders.