Population: 11.8 million
Area: 30,528 square kilometres
Capital: Brussels
Currency: Euro (EUR) €
Official language: French, Dutch and German
Belgium might be a small country in Europe, but it punches way above its weight in culture, food, and history. Belgium is like a foodie fairytale getaway, think rich chocolate, warm waffles fresh off the street, crispy fries with endless sauces, and world-famous beers. Wander through magical cities with canals and cobbled streets, Beyond the cities, Belgium offers scenic countryside and smooth, winding roads, perfect for a relaxed motorcycle ride through forests, hills, and charming villages. With surreal art and a buzzing European feel, it’s a destination that feels delicious, historic, and adventurous.
Yet, despite being just a short hop across the Channel, driving in Belgium is very different to driving in the UK. In this guide you'll read about all the things you need to be aware of ahead of your journey.
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
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 Note that vehicles featuring the letters GB together with the Council of Europe golden stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.
From 2nd August 2021, drivers no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Belgium.
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 the last quarter of 2026. We have a specific guide for this.
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of any EU nation.
We have a specific guide for this.
- 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)
- Headlamp beam deflectors for driving on the right, if you bike is one of the few that doesn't have a straight beam you'll need to either adjust it or apply a sticker so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way
- 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)
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
- 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.
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 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.
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, which means all speed limits are indicated using kilometres. Speed limits are 20km/h (19mph) in residential areas, up to 50km/h (31mph in built-up areas and up to 120km/h on motorways.
All road signs (including distance) are indicated using kilometres and metres.
Residential areas - 20km/h
In built-up areas - 50km/h max
Outside built-up areas - 90km/h
Motorways - 120km/h
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.
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.
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.
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
- 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
- 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
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 choose 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.
Offence level 1 Immediate payment deposit €58 Fine €80 - €2,000
Offence level 2 Immediate payment deposit €116 Fine €160 - €2,000
Offence level 3 Immediate payment deposit €174 Fine €240 - €4,000
Offence level 4 Immediate payment deposit €473 Fine €320 - €4,000
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.
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 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.
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.
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 a time limit where parking time is otherwise restricted by road signs, in blue zones and by parking meters.
The use of a reflective safety vest is compulsory at any time of day for any drivers who leave their vehicle in the case of a breakdown or an accident on motorways. Failing to comply will result in an immediate fine of €58.
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%.
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.
There are service areas with a petrol station, restaurant, shop, showers and toilets, and sometimes a motel. Rest areas have picnic facilities.
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.
Road regulations are subject to change. Although we strive to keep this information up to date, we recommend verifying details before setting off.
