Road Rules & Driving in Belgium

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Road Rules & Driving in Belgium

Below find information on:

Rules and Regulations

Many of the basic rules of the road in Belgium are very similar to those across the rest of Europe. Road signs are either in Dutch or French (translations for some of the most common words can be found here).

• Drive on the right in Belgium, overtake on the left
• Priority is given to the right; drivers must stop for traffic joining from the right. Marked by an inverted "yield" sign with a red "X" in the middle, the "priority from the right" rule means that cars coming from the right always have priority unless a yellow diamond sign or other priority road sign has been posted. This does not apply on motorways, roundabouts, and roads sign-posted with an orange diamond within a white background
• The legal minimum age for driving is 18 years
• Trams have priority in Belgium, as do their passengers getting on and off
• Every vehicle must be registered with the Vehicle Registration Authority (Direction Immatriculation Véhicules, DIV) before it can legally be on the road. Registration must be updated when the vehicle's owner changes. There are also requirements for registering trailers
• It is obligatory to have at least third party vehicle insurance. It is the car owner's responsibility to obtain the insurance
• Valid Belgian, other EU country and International driving licences (accompanied by a valid foreign driving licence) are accepted in Belgium
• Mobile cellular telephones may only be used with a "handsfree" system
• It's compulsory to wear a seat belt (ceinture de sécurité/autogordel) including in the back seats if belts are fitted. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure all passengers wear their belts (and the driver will be fined if passengers are not belted in)
• Children under three may not travel in the front unless carried in a suitable car seat. Children over three and under twelve or measuring less than 1,35m must use appropriate restraints front and rear
• Headlights must be used in tunnels, even during the day
• Drivers involved in an accident must stop and help injured people, collaborate in avoiding danger and other possible accidents and call the police if there are injured people or if the road cannot be cleared (Police Tel: 101)

What to Carry in the Car

It is compulsory to carry the following documents in the car at all times:

• Driving licence
• Insurance certificate
• Vehicle registration documents
• Passport/proof of identity
• Proof of payment of road tax and car radio tax where applicable

All vehicles must also carry:

• A warning triangle. In the event of an accident or breakdown the triangle must be placed 30 metres behind the vehicle on ordinary roads and 100 metres on motorways to warn following traffic. It must be visible at a distance of 50 metres
• A first aid kit
• A fire extinguisher, which must be accessible from the driver's seat
• A reflective vest. The vest must be put on before getting out of the car in the event of an accident or breakdown on any road

Official Organisations & Government Bodies

For extensive information on all driving related matters including the driving licence, the driving test, taxes and highway regulations there are a number of sources.

• The main Federal Government website provides details of application procedures for taxes and general driving information
• The Ministry of Transport (Service public fédéral Mobilité et Transports/Federale Overheidsdienst Mobiliteit en Vervoer)
• GOCA (Groupement des Sociétés agréées de Contrôle automobile et du Permis de Conduire/Groepering Van Erkende Ondernemingen Voor Autokeuring en Rijbewijs) is an organisation that brings together 32 examination centres and 76 centres for the roadworthiness test (contrôle technique/Autokeuring). The website contains detailed information on the driving test, the content of the examinations and where to get training (in French and Dutch)
• The Vehicle Registration Authority (Direction pour l'Immatriculation des Vehicules, DIV) is the registration authority for all vehicles. To find contact details of offices: Click here
• There are two police forces dealing with traffic violations: the local police (Police Locale/Lokale Politie) and the Federal Police (Police Fédérale/Federale Politie)
• Belgian Road Safety Institute (Insitut Belge pour la Sécurité Routière, IBSR/Belgisch Instituut voor de Verkeersveiligheid, BIVV)

Motoring Costs

There are a number of costs associated with motoring in Belgium.

Circulation Tax (taxe de mise en circulation/belasting op de inverkeerstelling)

This is a payment made just once on the purchase of a new or used car. The amount is based on the power of the engine. There are some exemptions, for example, where the vehicle is simply being transferred from husband to wife.

• For further information: Click here (in French & Dutch)

Road tax (taxe de circulation/verkeersbelasting)

The amount of the road tax is related to engine size and there are also differences if the vehicle is used to transport passengers or goods. It is payable annually and there is an increased rate on a second vehicle. There is a separate tax for scooters and mopeds. Anyone with a diesel or LPG vehicle will have to pay an additional annual tax.

Note: For those who do only limited mileage there may be an exemption from this tax for occasional usage.

• For comprehensive information on driving related taxes: Click here (in French & Dutch)

Insurance 

Insurance is compulsory for all vehicles. The minimum level of cover required is third party, but comprehensive cover is common. The car and not the driver is insured so many people have additional insurance for themselves in the event of personal injury.

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page on Vehicle Insurance in Belgium

Speed Limits

Speed traps, cameras and unmarked police vehicles are used throughout the country to catch speeding motorists. Belgium has a high accident rate, mainly due to speeding. Traffic control authorities (autorités de contrôle du traffic/verkeersinspectie) are strict, issuing heavy speeding fines on the spot.

Speed limits are as follows, unless otherwise indicated:

• Built-up areas: 50 Km/h (30 Km/h in school areas)
• National Roads: between 70 Km/h and 90 Km/h
• Motorways: 120 Km/h

Types of Roads

Most Belgian roads are in good condition with satisfactory lighting; some highways/autoroute are very well lit. 

• Roadside assistance and information on road conditions are available from Touring Mobilis Tel: 0900 10 280
• Belgian police also provide information on road conditions Tel: 02 642 66 66
• For travel information for all of Belgium Tel: 0900 10 280 seven days a week from 06:00-23:00
• For information on all types of roads, see website Autosnelwegen: Click here

Motorways (Autoroute/Autobaan)

• The speed limit (limite de vitesse/snelheidsbeperking) on Belgian motorways is 120 Km/h
• There are no toll charges on Belgium's motorways (however, this is under discussion)
• There is a toll for the Antwerp Liefkenshoek Tunnel
• Motorways are signposted with a white E on a green background
• Motorways have services stations with fuel, snack shops and washrooms available. Some also have information points and repair garages
• Passing on the right is illegal
• Orange SOS phones are provided at regular intervals to call for assistance

National Roads

• Main roads have a speed limit of between 70 Km/h and 90 Km/h
• Passing on the right (the inside) is illegal
• National roads are marked with the letter N and a number

Built-up areas

On entering any town or village, the speed limit comes into effect at the white background signboard bearing the community's name. Radar speed traps are common.

• Speed limits are generally 50 Km/h in built-up areas; any additional restrictions will be signposted
• There is a speed restriction of 30 Km/h in school areas, valid all day

Parking in Belgium (Parking/Parkeerplaats)

In Belgium parking restrictions are made fairly obvious to drivers. Most parking is on a fee-basis and parking meters can be found on the majority of streets. Most cities operate the so-called Blue-Zone parking system, which means drivers must display a cardboard display clock set to their time of arrival. The blue clock is available from petrol stations, newsagents and police stations.

• Parking is forbidden within 15 metres of a tram, bus or rail stop or near where tram or rail lines cross the road
• A yellow line on the curb indicates no parking

Be aware that there may be temporary signs left by the commune to indicate that the road needs to be kept clear for road works or similar. Drivers who ignore these risk having their vehicle towed away.

Certain very busy streets are marked with a red triangle stating (Axe Rouge/Ax Rode) which means that parking is not permitted from 07:00-09:30 and 16:00-18:00.

Paying a parking fine

All parking fines can be paid at the Town Hall (Maison Communale/Stadhuis) or at the Post Office (cheques are not accepted at the Post Office). 

Driving & Drinking

The blood/alcohol limit in Belgium is 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood. The police have the power to carry out random alcohol tests on drivers at any time and a blood sample will be taken if a driver refuses a breathalyser test. Drivers can request to wait 30 minutes before taking a breath test.

A driver found to have more than the legal limit of alcohol is fined an amount that depends on the blood alcohol level. In some cases the driver's licence may be confiscated immediately or for a period of a few hours.

Drugs & Driving

Anyone found to be driving under the influence of drugs is punished.

Breakdown Assistance

Orange emergency telephones are provided on motorways to call for assistance.

A number of organisations provide assistance in case of breakdown.

• The Royal Automobile Club de Belgique
  At: Rue d'Arlon 53, 1040 Brussels
  Tel: 02 287 09 11
  Breakdown service Tel: 07 815 20 00
  Fax: 02 230 75 84
  e-mail
  Website (in French & Dutch)
• Vlaamse Automobilistenbond – VTB/VAB
  At: St Jacobsmarkt 45, 2000 Antwerp
  Tel: 03 253 66 63 / 07 034 46 66
  Website
• Touring Club de Belgique
  At: Rue de la Loi 44, 1040 Brussels
  Tel: 02 233 22 02
  Breakdown Tel: 07 034 47 77
  Website (in French & Dutch)

Note: If a driver not resident in Belgium has a breakdown or accident and is a member of an automobile association in their own country (such as the AA or RAC), they may find reciprocal agreements with garages and institutions in Belgium. Check with the association before departure.

Road Traffic Signs

Road signs in Belgium are normally only in the local language and signs can change language abruptly when travelling through Belgium. Here are translations of the most common road traffic signs.

Place Names

A list of Belgian cities and their various names

Further Information

• New Traffic Books publishes a book in English on the theory and exercises to be learned in order to obtain a driving license. It includes practical information on the rules of the road, road signs and more
• Jesuispour.be (in French) is a site dedicated to improving safety on Belgium's roads with information on current legislation, including the roadworthiness test and downloads of useful documents
• Belgian Highway Code (PDF in French)
• Brussels Velo: Road safety information for cyclists in the capital
• Drive Alive in Belgium: Useful information in English
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on the Green Card System
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Accidents in Belgium
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Insurance in Belgium
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Roadworthiness in Belgium
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Buying & Selling a Car in Belgium
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on the Registering a Foreign Vehicle in Belgium
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Getting a Belgian Driving Licence
• AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Belgium