Driving in Belgium vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Belgium and Turkey, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic light signals and documentation requirements, notable contrasts emerge. This guide highlights vital aspects that every traveler should consider to navigate these countries' unique driving environments effectively.
Lanes
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
turkey:
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.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges