Driving in Belgium vs. Slovenia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Belgium and Slovenia, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for safety. Key differences include speed limits, overtaking rules, and alcohol restrictions. While Belgium employs variable speed signs, Slovenia maintains stricter zero-tolerance alcohol policies, making it essential for travelers to familiarize themselves with these unique traffic customs.
Lanes
| Belgium | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
slovenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
slovenia:
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.
slovenia:
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.
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
slovenia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
slovenia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 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 | 130 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 | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes, fines are often issued directly by police |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
slovenia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
slovenia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
slovenia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
slovenia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovenia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
Signals
| Belgium | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Slovenia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Slovenian; 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
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Belgium | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
slovenia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits |
| 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
slovenia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Belgium | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; roadside checks conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Severe fines; varies based on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
slovenia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
slovenia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | 1987 for AMZS |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
slovenia:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines apply, €250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline |
| 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
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay