Driving in Belgium vs. Serbia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Belgium and Serbia, understanding the unique rules and regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. From varying speed limits and lane markings to distinct alcohol consumption thresholds, these nations showcase notable contrasts in their roadway practices. Stay informed to drive safely and confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Belgium | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
serbia:
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.
serbia:
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.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
serbia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Belgium | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Serbian; 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
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Belgium | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| 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
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Belgium | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
serbia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay