Driving Differences: Belgium vs. France Explained
When navigating the roads of Belgium and France, it's crucial to understand the distinct regulations and practices that govern travel in each nation. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and fines, this comparison illuminates vital discrepancies that can impact your journey. Stay informed to ensure a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
france:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
belgium:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
france:
Accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
belgium:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay