Driving in Belgium vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Discover the distinct driving regulations between Belgium and the United Kingdom, essential for ensuring safety on the roads abroad. Key contrasts include driving on the right in Belgium versus the left in the UK, varying speed limits, and unique traffic protocols. Understanding these nuances can greatly enhance your travel experience and promote road safety.
Lanes
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
belgium:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
belgium:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
belgium:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
belgium:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
belgium:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
belgium:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
belgium:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
belgium:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
belgium:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
belgium:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
belgium:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
belgium:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
belgium:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay