Driving is on the right with overtaking on the left. You give priority to the right and yield if you see a sign with a red X in the middle. Give priority to trams and any disembarking passengers. Mobile phones can only be used if you are in possession of a hands free device. If you go into a tunnel you must use your headlights, even if it is during the day. Headlamps should also be used in bad weather. You must not use your horn inside built up areas. The police can fine you on the spot and if you can't pay then they will request a security deposit.
Legally you must stop and help anyone who is injured people as well as do your best to prevent any further dangerous situations from materialising, even if it means moving the car. You must call the police if anyone has been injured or if the road cannot be cleared. Use a warning triangle, it is law that all cars carry them.
Everyone in the car must have a seatbelt on and it’s the driver's responsibility to make sure they do so. Children between three and 12 years of age need to have a proper restraint and children under three cannot travel in the front seat.
Motorway signs are blue with white writing.
It costs about 1.32 Euros per litre for unleaded and 1.04 for diesel.
The drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. According to law you are allowed to refuse an alcohol test if the police ask but this might get you arrested.
If you plan to stay in Belgium then you need to apply for a Belgian driving licence once you get an identity card. All drivers must have your diving licence and photo ID on you at all times. You also need to have copies of your registration, the Direction Immatriculation Véhicules or DIV, and the circulation tax. You must have at least third party vehicle insurance.
EU citizens can just use their domestic licence. Non EU members should get an international driving licence.
Petrol - Essence
Unleaded - Sans plomb
Diesel – Gazole
Town center – Centre Ville
No pedestrians - Interdit aux pietons
Exit – Sortie
One lane road - Voie unique
Turn on your lights - Allumez vos feux (lanterns)
Driving licence- Permis de Conduite
Services (rest stops) - Aire de repos
End of no parking zone - Fin d'interdiction de stationer
Beware roadworks - Attention travaux
Note: In Flanders some of the road signs might be in Dutch.
Unleaded fuel - loodvrije benzene
Petrol station – tankstation
Highway – Grote weg
Exit – Afrit
Entrance – Oprit
The Liefkenshoek Tunnel in Antwerp is the only toll road.
50 kilometres per hour in built up areas
90 kilometres per hour on country roads
120 kilometres per hour on four lane roads and highways
The conversion from kilometres to miles per hour is one kilometre = 0.62 miles per hour. Therefore 50 kilometres is 31 miles.
The minimum age to drive in Belgium is 18. You can rent a car at 21 years old though some companies require you to be 23.
The police number is 101. For traffic information contact 0900 10 280.
Buy blue parking discs from tobacco shops which allow you to park in blue zones. In the centre of town parking metres are used which display the necessary amounts.
In some parts of Belgium they use a system where you park on alternate sides of the road depending on the day. Don't park within 15 metre of a bus or tram stop and watch out for local signs in communes telling you not to park. Your car could be towed.