Record number of fines for non-compliance with mileage tax

Last year, 31 283 fines were issued for non-compliance with the mileage tax on Flemish roads. That is a new record. Those fines represented a total amount of over 12 million euros.

“However, nothing says that we will actually receive this amount,” says Flemish MP Peter van Rompuy (CD&V), who requested the figures from the competent minister, Finance Minister Matthias Diependaele (N-VA).

75% of fines to foreign trucks

The previous years show low collection rates. In 2020, for example, three out of four fines went to foreign trucks. Van Rompuy points out that the collection rates for Belgian trucks in 2019 was 75,2%, but only 64,9% for foreign trucks.

Trucks on Belgian roads have to pay mileage tax since 2016. Figures from previous years show that the collection rate per country for all fines is meager for trucks with the registration number of Malta (11,6%), Moldova (26,6%), Turkey (30,5%), Cyprus (31,2%), and Greece (31,5%).

Mobile team

It is too early to conclude the collection rates for 2020, Van Rompuy says. “The Flemish Tax Administration, together with Viapass, should continue to work on increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of enforcement systematically.”

According to him, a mobile team should intervene more quickly when foreign trucks with outstanding fines re-enter Belgian territory. “If necessary, by towing the truck in question. Something that happened only 21 trucks in 2020,” concludes Van Rompuy.

A catalyst for the greening of the fleet

The income from the mileage tax for trucks increased further last year, to 736 million euros. The increase in 2020 is for Flanders’ account (474,8 million in revenue compared to 451,2 million euros in 2019).

In Wallonia (251,7 million euros compared to 256,1 million euros in 2019) and Brussels (9,5 million euros compared to 10,1 million euros in 2019), the revenues fell slightly. It should be mentioned that in July, there was an adjustment in fare in Flanders, but there was also more riding.

Besides, the greening of the vehicle fleet continued. The share of toll kilometers traveled by Euro 6 trucks, the cleanest emission category, rose further to just under 76%. Euro 6 trucks pay less per kilometer than similar trucks of a lower Euro standard, which makes the toll an important catalyst for the truck fleet’s greening.