Overview
- The federal permit was signed by Minister Jean-Luc Crucke following a route safety analysis by the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport.
- Testing is authorized on an 8 km loop between Leuven and Heverlee with nine stops in partnership with De Lijn, the City of Leuven, and Espaces-Mobilités.
- Initial operations are expected to include a safety officer onboard, with timing in the coming weeks contingent on Flemish approval.
- De Lijn plans a pilot on the same corridor from mid-November through January 2026 that would be Belgium’s first commercial mixed-traffic AV service with digital ticketing, SMS, or subscription boarding.
- WeRide says the approval extends its permits to seven countries, and WRD shares traded about 4% higher premarket, according to Benzinga.