Driving Differences: Belgium vs. Montenegro Explained
When traversing the roads of Belgium and Montenegro, drivers encounter distinctive regulations and practices that can significantly impact their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption thresholds, all essential for ensuring a secure journey. Familiarizing yourself with these nuances will promote safer driving abroad.
Lanes
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. |
| 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 with road signs and pavement markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
montenegro:
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.
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
montenegro:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
montenegro:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
montenegro:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
montenegro:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
montenegro:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
montenegro:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
montenegro:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
montenegro:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
Signals
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Montenegro |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Montenegrin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
Turns
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Sometimes allowed, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| 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
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use common but regulated |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
Alcohol
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
montenegro:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
montenegro:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
montenegro:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 122 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Available from several organizations; check locally |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
montenegro:
122
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Montenegro | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines apply, amount varies |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Usually within 8 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days