Driving in Belgium vs. Liechtenstein: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Belgium versus Liechtenstein, understanding the nuances of traffic regulations is essential for ensuring safety. Key distinctions include speed limits, bus lane regulations, and alcohol limits, which can significantly impact your driving experience. Familiarize yourself with these variations to drive confidently and responsibly in both countries.
Lanes
| Belgium | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
liechtenstein:
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.
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
liechtenstein:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Belgium | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | German; 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
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belgium | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 annually |
| 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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Belgium | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay