Driving in Albania vs Belgium: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Albania and Belgium, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their experience. From varying speed limits and lane markings to differing alcohol thresholds, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover the unique driving landscape of these two countries to enhance your travel safety.
Lanes
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
albania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
belgium:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
belgium:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | No; fines are mailed to the driver |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
belgium:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
belgium:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
belgium:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
belgium:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
belgium:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
belgium:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
belgium:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
Signals
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Yes; indicates impending green light |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
Turns
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed unless specific signage permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; national driving license sufficient |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
belgium:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; conducted by police |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Varies by severity of offense |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
belgium:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
belgium:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
Emergency Services
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 101 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
belgium:
101
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fine of around 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines; points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | No; fines usually mailed to the driver |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver