Driving in Belgium vs. Norway: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Belgium and Norway. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol thresholds, each country exhibits unique driving customs that impact traveler safety. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in foreign territories.
Lanes
| Belgium | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
belgium:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 90-100 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Belgium | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belgium | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Belgium | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes, typically required |
| 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
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay