Driving in Belgium vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina, understanding their distinct driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerance levels. While Belgium employs stricter rules regarding overtaking, Bosnia allows more leniency in certain situations. Prepare for a unique driving experience in both countries!
Lanes
| Belgium | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes, frequently used |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
Signals
| Belgium | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unreasonable use prohibited |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
Headlight Flash: Usage
belgium:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belgium | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Belgium | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Belgium | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Substantial fines possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Usually provided by insurance |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Bosnia and herzegovina | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; fines can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a few weeks |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks