Driving in Belgium

To make your trip to the Continent as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

Driving a rented vehicle? Jump to the advice for driving a hire car in Belgium section.

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic and Comprehensive) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Belgium to ensure you stay safe. 

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

Need short-term car insurance for your vehicle? Our temporary car cover is perfect if you're looking for flexible insurance for between 1 hour and 30 days.

In an emergency

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting. 

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Belgium. Riders of mopeds or motorcycles up to 125cc must also be aged 18 or over. 

Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. International driving permits are recognised but not required unless you’re staying for more than 185 days. 

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Belgium for up to six months in any period of 12 months. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in Belgium?

Since 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad changed from GB to UK.  

This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Belgium.   

The identifier can be incorporated in vehicle number plates (along with the Union Flag) or as a separate sticker. Note that vehicles featuring the letters GB together with the Council of Europe golden stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.

If your vehicle does not have the UK identifier within the number plate, you will require a UK sticker when driving in Belgium. GB stickers will no longer be valid from the end of September.

Do I need an insurance green card?

From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Belgium.

ETIAS – 2025

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa program for visitors who don’t need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European Union and a few other European countries.

Visitors who purchase an ETIAS will be able to enter the 26 member states of the Schengen Zone as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.

This will be launching in 2025. Learn more about ETIAS here.

In addition to required documents, drivers in Belgium are required by law to carry the following items:

• Reflective jackets (must be worn if you’re involved in a breakdown or an accident, or alongside a road where stopping or parking is prohibited)
• Warning triangle (compulsory in every vehicle with four wheels or more)
• Headlamp beam deflectors for driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way
• First-aid kit and fire extinguisher (vehicles registered in Belgium must carry both, but this is not compulsory for vehicles registered abroad)
• Motorcyclist protective clothing (all riders, including foreigners, must wear protective clothing – i.e. gloves, a jacket with long sleeves, trousers with long legs and boots protecting the ankles)

Is there anything that I shouldn’t take with me?

Be aware that you cannot take the following with you into Belgium:

• meat or products containing meat
• milk or dairy products

You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:

• fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
• vegetables
• plants
• plant products

Overtaking and passing

In Belgium, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. When overtaking a cyclist or moped rider there should be a distance of least one metre between them and the overtaking vehicle.

Situations where it is prohibited to overtake include:

• At level crossings featuring the St Andrew’s cross sign, which may not have gates or light signals
• At intersections where right-hand priority is a must
• At any other intersections for drivers who have to give right of way
• If the other vehicle being overtaken is also overtaking a vehicle with more than two wheels. An exception is when there are three or more lanes for traffic in the direction of travel
• If the vehicle being overtaken is approaching a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist crossing at locations where traffic is not controlled by police or traffic lights
• In adverse weather, HGVs are unable to overtake on dual carriageways and motorways. However, they can pass agricultural vehicles like tractors or other vehicles using a lane for slow-moving transport
• Goods vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes cannot overtake on routes outside built-up areas where there are two lanes for traffic in the direction followed. However, like HGVs, they can overtake farming vehicles and others using a special lane for slow-moving vehicles
•  

A driver can use the side of a footway if the size of a carriageway makes passing difficult. However, this is only allowed as long as pedestrians are not put in danger.

Who has priority?

All vehicles coming from the right have priority. However, it should also be noted that trams always have priority, whether they are on the left or right.

Drivers need to slow down or completely stop in a built-up area if a bus has indicated that it intends to leave a stop. In addition, any vehicles emerging from a path or track need to give way to those on the surfaced road.

When it comes to emergency vehicles, drivers must move to the side and give way as soon as they are aware of their approach. If it is required, they should also stop.

Vehicles already present on roundabouts also get priority and the junctions tend to feature ‘give way’ signs. Finally, drivers approaching a crossing not controlled by lights or a traffic officer should give way to pedestrians who are on it or about to step onto it.

Warning of approach

Warning signals should only be given briefly and the use of a horn is only allowed if there is no other way to avoid an accident.

However, audible warnings can be used outside built-up areas to signal to others that you plan to overtake. During the night, flashing headlights should be used instead of a horn, except in cases of danger.

Towing

On a standard driving licence, motorists are allowed to tow a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of 750kg, including the trailer and its load.

Seat belts

If seat belts are fitted to your car, they must be worn by both drivers and passengers. 

An on-the-spot fine for failing to wear a seat belt is set at €116. 

Traffic lights

The international three-colour traffic light system is used in Belgium.

Green, amber and red arrows are used at some intersections.

Belgium uses the metric system for all road signs, meaning speed limits and other road signs including distance are indicated using kilometres and metres. 

Special speed restrictions apply to certain classes of vehicles, including vehicles with trailers, so check local restrictions before travel. 

Speeding fines in Belgium range from €53 to €4,000, depending on the speed at which offenders are caught, or the road on which they’re driving.

On-the-spot fines of €866 are possible for non-residents, with the police demanding payment in exhange for a receipt. 

Speed camera detectors

Navigation systems which highlight the presence of speed cameras are permitted in Belgium. However, any equipment that actively searches for such devices or impacts on police equipment is prohibited. 

Car seats

Children under 135cm in height must be seated in a child seat or child restraint while travelling. However, if there are already two child restraints/seats installed in the rear seat of a car and there is no room for a third, a child aged three or older can travel in the rear seat of the vehicle using a seat belt. 

Children aged under three cannot travel in a car unless appropriately restrained. 

Child restraints must be correct for the weight of the child and also be an approved type. Rear-facing child seats cannot be used on a front seat with an airbag unless it is deactivated.

Bike helmet law

Helmets are not compulsory for cyclists in Belgium.

A vehicle with a trailer or caravan must not exceed 18.75 metres in length, 4 metres in height and 2.55 metres in width.

Loads mustn’t exceed 12 tonnes at the drive axle and 10 tonnes at a single axle.

Please note: The Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK campers and caravanners abroad. In practice, this could mean towing your car while it’s fixed to a trailer.*

On-the-spot fines

The police may impose on-the-spot fines to visitors who infringe traffic regulations - such as driving in a bus lane or speeding at less than 10km/h over the limit. 

Minimum and maximum fines

Infringing traffic regulations can result in a fine, which range from €80 to €4,000 depending on the offence committed.

Belgium has four levels of traffic offences:

Level 1

• block>
• parking offence not causing a danger
• driving in a bus lane
• non-observance of lane pre-selection signs

Level 2

• using a hand-held mobile phone when driving
• parking offence causing a danger to others, for example on a pavement, in a disabled bay, near a junction
• not wearing a seat belt
• non-observance of the orange traffic light
• infringement of priority rules

Level 3

• infringement of passing rules
• not stopping at a red traffic light
• overtaking when prohibited
• transporting a child without an adequate child protection system

Level 4

• dangerous overtaking, in a bend or near the top of a hill
• crossing a railway crossing when prohibited by lights
• reversing or doing a U-turn on a motorway

The payment of fines must be made in Euros, either in cash or by debit or credit card.

If you commit an offence, you can either pay the fine immediately or refuse and pay a deposit. If you chooses to pay a deposit, you must clearly state your intention to the police. The amount of the deposit is the same as the on-the-spot fine.

Confiscation of vehicles

The police can confiscate a vehicle that is not insured. They can impound a vehicle under certain circumstances, for example if the load is unsafe or if the driver tests positive for alcohol.

In certain circumstances, a tribunal can order the seizure or confiscation of a vehicle which has been involved in a serious offence.

Regulations

Any stationary vehicle must have its engine switched off, unless absolutely necessary.

It must be left on the right-hand side of the road, except in the case of a one-way street when it can be parked on either side.

Paid parking

Paid parking is regulated by parking meters or automatic parking machines; methods of payment and parking conditions are specified on the machines.

Where these exist inside blue zones, parking discs must not be used, except when the parking meter or ticket machine is out of action.

Enforcement of parking regulations

Wheel clamps are sometimes used to immobilise vehicles that are not legally insured. They are not used to penalise drivers who have illegally parked their vehicles.

Disabled parking access

Foreign disabled permits are recognised in Belgium.

Special parking places are reserved for the disabled. These are indicated by sign 'E23', with the addition of the international symbol.

Badge holders may also park without time limit where parking time is otherwise restricted by road signs, in blue zones and by parking meters. 

Legal limit

The present legal limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.05% of alcohol in the blood.

For commercial drivers, the limit is lower: 0.02%.

Random breath tests

Anybody driving, about to drive or involved in an accident may have to undergo a breath test on the spot.

If the test is positive (i.e. shows there is between 0.05 and 0.08% of alcohol in the blood), you’re not allowed to drive for at least three hours and your driving licence is withdrawn for that period.  

If the alcohol level is 0.08% or more or if you refuse to undergo the test, you’re not allowed to drive for at least six hours.

Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol range from an on-the-spot-fine of €179 and three-hour driving ban to €1,260 and possible suspension of your licence for 15 days.

Motorways in Belgium are currently toll-free except for vehicles of 3.5 tonnes or more.

Service areas in Belgium

There are service areas with a petrol station, restaurant, shop, showers and toilets, and sometimes a motel. Rest areas have picnic facilities.

Availability of fuel in Belgium

Unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available throughout Belgium.

Although most petrol stations are closed nightly from 20:00 to 08:00 and often all day on Sunday, stations on motorways and main roads are open 24 hours a day, including Sundays. Some petrol stations have automated pumps that accept credit or debit cards.

Fuel prices in Belgium can be found in our up-to-date European fuel prices page.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Belgium.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 19, although this can vary depending on the provider and model of car
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Check with your car rental company beforehand to find out the minimum term you must have held your license for, as this can vary
• Some companies may require you to have a credit card
• You may not be able to drive outside of Belgium unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• The national speed limit on motorways in Belgium is 120km/h (74 mph). On a main road outside a built-up area it's up to 90km/h (in the Wallonia and Brussels Capital region), or 70km/h (in the Flemish region). For built-up areas it’s between 30km/h to 50km/h. Residential areas are 20km/h
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• If seat belts are fitted to your car, they must be worn by both drivers and passengers.
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.05%. That's lower than the 0.08% in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but the same as Scotland

UK Government travel advice

See up-to-date travel advice