Driving in Belgium vs. Czech Republic: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Belgium and the Czech Republic, drivers encounter notable distinctions that impact safety and compliance. From varying speed limits to unique lane markings, understanding these variations is crucial for a secure journey. Explore the essential comparisons that will help ensure your driving experience is both informed and safe in these two diverse European nations.
Lanes
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Only on multi-lane roads 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' or specific road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
czech republic:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
czech republic:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
czech republic:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
belgium:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
belgium:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
belgium:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
belgium:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
belgium:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
belgium:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
belgium:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
belgium:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
belgium:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
belgium:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
belgium:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
belgium:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
belgium:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
belgium:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
belgium:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
belgium:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
belgium:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
belgium:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
belgium:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
belgium:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
belgium:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
belgium:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
czech republic:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
czech republic:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
belgium:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
belgium:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
belgium:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
belgium:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
belgium:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
belgium:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
belgium:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
belgium:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
belgium:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
belgium:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
belgium:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.