Driving in Belgium vs. Georgia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Belgium and Georgia, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and legal blood alcohol levels. While Belgium emphasizes strict enforcement, Georgia offers slightly more lenient rules. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
Belgium | Georgia | |
---|---|---|
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 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. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
georgia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
georgia:
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.
georgia:
Allowed 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.
georgia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
belgium:
No
georgia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
georgia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
Belgium | Georgia | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110-120 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
georgia:
20-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
georgia:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
georgia:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
georgia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
georgia:
110-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
georgia:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
georgia:
90-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
georgia:
Yes
Signals
Belgium | Georgia | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used |
Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Georgian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
georgia:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
georgia:
Georgian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
georgia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Belgium | Georgia | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
georgia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
georgia:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
Belgium | Georgia | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Required; proof may be required |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
georgia:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
georgia:
Recommended
Alcohol
Belgium | Georgia | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
georgia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
georgia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
georgia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
georgia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
georgia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
Belgium | Georgia | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 112 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
georgia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
georgia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
georgia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
Belgium | Georgia | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; 80 to 500 GEL |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | 50 GEL |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | 10 GEL |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | 200 GEL |
Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; but usually paid later |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
georgia:
Varies; 80 to 500 GEL
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
georgia:
50 GEL
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
georgia:
10 GEL
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
georgia:
200 GEL
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
georgia:
Possible; but usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
georgia:
Varies; typically within 30 days