Looking to have a seamless time driving in Belgium while you enjoy your trip with Debit Card Car Hire? In this guide, we’ll take you through all you need to do know when it comes to driving requirements in Belgium.
The first bonus of booking a hire car for your Belgium road trip is that the insurance is taken care of by Debit Card Car Hire. You only need cover for the time you are actually driving over there so once you know your itinerary you are good to go.
The alcohol limit in Belgium is split between drivers with less than three years experience ((0.2g/litre) and those with more than three years experience (0.5g/litre), lower then than our own 0.8g/litre limit.
Driving in Belgium: What Key Things Do I Need to Know?
Headphones while driving are OUT!
You can’t use your own breakdown company, you need to use the orange phones to call the police or the regional breakdown company
Always Carry With You:
- Full, valid UK driving licence
- Proof of ID (passport)
- Motor insurance certificate
- V5 registration document
As well as a driving kit containing:
Vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Belgium.
- Reflective jackets
- Warning triangle
- Headlamp beam deflectors
- First-aid kit and fire extinguisher
Speed Limits in Belgium
- Residential areas 20km/h
- In built-up areas 50km/h max (30km/h around schools)
- Outside built-up areas 90km/h (in the Wallonia and Brussels Capital region) 70km/h (in the Flemish region)
- Motorways 120km/h
You Cannot Import:
- 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
Generally, the rule is to drive on the right and overtake on the left. But when there are slower vehicles in left-hand lanes these can be overtaken on the right.
Vehicles travelling uphill on steep gradients have right of way over those travelling downhill.
Trams are normally overtaken on the right but can be passed on the left if there is not enough space on the right on a one-way street.
Unless otherwise indicated at intersections you should give way to cars coming from your right.
Traffic already on a roundabout has right of way.
Emergency vehicles have right of way.
Don’t get horny! Use only as an imperative warning to other drivers.
At night you must flash your lights, not use your horn.
Do not use your horn in built up areas unless danger is imminent.
Traffic Light Rules in Belgium
Belgium uses the three-colour traffic light system with red for stop, amber for stop if possible (not too near line) and green for go.
When the amber light flashes you must give way to vehicles coming from the right.
When passing through toll gates on the motorway fees are paid either by cash, credit card or electronic unit or a mobile app
Honey, Where Do I Put the Kids?
Not in the front seat if under the age of ten unless using a special child restraint adapted to their age and size (see the European regulations for this).
Traffic Fines & Fees in Belgium
Violating traffic regulations can land you an on the spot fine of up to EU 750. This can be reduced if paid within the next three days or, if disputed, taken to court within 30 days. For serious offences a deposit may be required or your vehicle may be confiscated. Crimes will follow you back to the UK if not dealt with during your visit.
Fuel in Belgium
There is plenty of availability of unleaded petrol, diesel fuel and lubricating oil in Belgium. Automated petrol pumps are operated by debit or credit card and there is an increasing number of electric charging points.
Read more on driving and hiring a car in Belgium:
Driving in Belgium FAQs
In Belgium, like most of Europe, they drive on the right side of the road and overtake on the left.
Yes, Belgium has some of the safest and most modern roads in Europe and the standard of driving is generally very high.
The Eurotunnel doesn’t directly go into Belgium, departing from Folkestone and arriving at Calais. However, the Belgian border is only a 40-minute drive away from Calais.
You will need a UK sticker on the back of your car, as the previous GB ones have been discontinued.