Belgium Motorcycle Theory A cheat sheet

Belgian danger signs are triangular with red borders; they announce a hazard ahead and generally imply a speed limit of 70 km/h unless another limit is posted.

Priority signs: the yellow diamond with white border (B9) marks a priority road; a red-bordered triangle with a black cross (B1) warns of an intersection where the default right-hand rule applies.

A red octagon with white 'STOP' requires a complete stop at the stop line or, if absent, at the edge of the intersecting roadway, and yield to all traffic.

The inverted triangle (B11) means yield; you must give way to traffic on the intersecting road without necessarily stopping.

Blue circular signs are mandatory instructions (e.g., direction to follow, cycle path); red circular signs are prohibitions (e.g., no entry, speed limit, no overtaking).

A white rectangle with a red border and a black symbol (e.g., '50') is a zone sign; the restriction applies until a matching end-of-zone sign (same symbol crossed by a red diagonal).

Solid white lines may not be crossed; broken lines may be crossed for overtaking if safe. A solid line on your side means no crossing even if the other side is broken.

Traffic lights: red = stop before the stop line; amber = stop unless stopping is unsafe; green = proceed if the way is clear; a green arrow only permits movement in the arrow direction.

A flashing amber light at a pedestrian crossing means yield to pedestrians on or about to enter the crossing; a flashing red light at a level crossing requires a stop.

Default priority at an unmarked intersection in Belgium is to the right: yield to vehicles approaching from your right.

At a roundabout marked with yield signs (B11) or 'give way' triangles, entering traffic yields to traffic already circulating on the roundabout.

A vehicle turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right; a vehicle turning across a cycle path or pedestrian crossing must yield to users on it.

When exiting a private driveway, parking area, or unpaved road, you must yield to all traffic on the public road, regardless of the right-hand rule.

At pedestrian crossings, pedestrians who are on the crossing or clearly about to step onto it have priority; approach at a speed that allows you to stop.

Overtaking is forbidden at pedestrian crossings (except when the crossing is controlled by traffic lights or a police officer), on bridges, in tunnels, and where a solid line is on your side.

A vehicle may not stop or park within 5 metres before a pedestrian crossing, on a cycle path, or within 20 metres of a level crossing.

Emergency vehicles using blue flashing lights and a two-tone siren have priority; you must give way and, if necessary, stop.

At a T-junction without signs, the road ending at the top of the T yields to traffic on the through road; if the through road is also unmarked, the right-hand rule applies.

General speed limits in Belgium (unless signed otherwise): 30 km/h in residential zones (zone 30), 50 km/h in built-up areas, 70 km/h outside built-up areas, and 120 km/h on motorways.

In the Brussels-Capital Region the default built-up limit is 30 km/h; in the Walloon and Flemish Regions the default built-up limit is 50 km/h unless signs indicate otherwise.

A minimum following distance is the distance travelled in 2 seconds in dry conditions; in rain or on wet roads use at least 4 seconds, and in fog or at night increase further.

On motorways, a following distance of at least 50 metres is required when travelling above 50 km/h; at 120 km/h this corresponds to about 1.5 seconds.

Ride as far to the right as is safe; you may use the full lane when necessary for safety (e.g., avoiding obstacles, preparing for a turn, or when the lane is too narrow to share).

Lane splitting (filtering between lanes) is not explicitly legalised in Belgium; riders may only overtake when there is sufficient space and it can be done safely.

On a road with two-way traffic, ride in the right-hand lane; on a one-way road with multiple lanes, use the rightmost lane unless overtaking or preparing to turn left.

In a built-up area, you may not use the horn except to warn of immediate danger; at night, use lights instead of the horn where possible.

Motorcycles must use a white headlight at all times when riding; daytime running lights are permitted only if they are approved and sufficiently bright.

Pre-ride checks (the 'POWDER' or 'T-CLOCS' system): tyres (pressure, tread depth ≥1 mm), oil, brakes, lights, chain tension and lubrication, and steering.

The front brake provides the majority of stopping power (about 70–80% on a dry surface); use both brakes together, progressively, to avoid locking the front wheel.

Countersteering: to turn right at speed, push the right handlebar forward; the bike leans right and turns right. The same applies in reverse for left turns.

A helmet is mandatory for all riders and passengers; it must be approved (ECE 22.05 or 22.06) and correctly fastened.

Protective clothing should include abrasion-resistant jacket and trousers, gloves, boots, and eye protection; high-visibility clothing is recommended but not legally required for all riders.

Tyre pressure should be checked cold and adjusted for load; under-inflation increases tyre temperature, reduces grip, and can cause a blowout.

The chain should have the manufacturer's specified slack (typically 20–30 mm) and be lubricated; a dry or over-tight chain can fail or damage the gearbox.

A passenger must be at least 8 years old (or taller than 1.35 m) and must have a proper seat and footrests; a child under 8 may only ride in an approved child seat.

The 'lifesaver' check: before changing lane or turning, glance over your shoulder to check the blind spot that mirrors do not cover.

Ride with a 2-second following distance in dry conditions; if a vehicle pulls out in front, you have time to react and stop.

Anticipate the 'door zone': when passing parked cars, leave at least 1 metre clearance in case a door opens.

At intersections, make eye contact with drivers and be prepared for them to pull out; a vehicle turning left across your path is a common collision cause.

In rain, the first 10–15 minutes are the most slippery as oil and dirt float on the surface; reduce speed and increase following distance.

Gravel, wet leaves, painted road markings, and tram rails reduce grip; cross them as upright as possible and avoid braking or accelerating on them.

At night, ride within the range of your headlight; reduce speed so you can stop within the illuminated distance.

When riding in a group, use a staggered formation on straight roads and single file on curves; keep at least a 2-second gap to the rider ahead.

The legal blood alcohol limit in Belgium is 0.5 g/L (0.5 per mille) for all drivers; for professional drivers and novice drivers (within 2 years of obtaining a licence) the limit is 0.2 g/L.

Alcohol is eliminated at about 0.1–0.15 g/L per hour; there is no way to speed this up-coffee, cold showers, or food do not reduce blood alcohol.

Driving under the influence of illegal drugs is prohibited; police can test saliva and blood. Refusing a test is an offence.

Medication that impairs driving must be labelled with a warning triangle; if you are affected, you must not ride. Check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist.

Fatigue impairs reaction time and judgment similarly to alcohol; take a 15–20 minute break every 2 hours, and stop if you feel drowsy.

Illness, stress, and strong emotions can affect fitness to ride; if you are not fit, do not ride-use public transport or a taxi.

Riders are subject to the same alcohol limits as car drivers; a motorcycle offers no protection, so the consequences of impairment are more severe.

At an accident: protect the scene (hazard lights, warning triangle at least 30 m behind on a normal road, 100 m on a motorway), alert emergency services (112), and assist casualties within your competence.

Do not move an injured motorcyclist unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic); wait for professional help and keep the casualty warm and still.

The emergency number in Belgium is 112; the non-emergency police number is 101.

If you are involved in an accident with injury, you must stop, provide your identity and insurance details, and report to the police.

For a breakdown on a motorway, move to the hard shoulder, exit on the side away from traffic, place the warning triangle, and call for assistance from behind the barrier.

First aid for a bleeding wound: apply direct pressure with a clean cloth; for a suspected fracture, immobilise the limb and do not attempt to realign it.

If a casualty is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position (unless a spinal injury is suspected) and monitor breathing until help arrives.

A motorcycle must be covered by at least third-party liability insurance (BA) to be used on public roads; riding without insurance is a criminal offence.

The insurance certificate (green card) and the vehicle registration certificate must be carried or available; the registration certificate is a single document (Part I and Part II).

Motorcycles are subject to periodic technical inspection (contrôle technique) after 4 years from first registration, then every 2 years; a certificate is issued.

A motorcycle must have a valid registration plate, a conformity certificate (COC), and, if applicable, a valid roadworthiness certificate.

The rider must hold the appropriate licence category (A1, A2, or A) for the motorcycle's power and engine capacity; a learner permit (voorlopig rijbewijs) has conditions.

A motorcycle helmet is compulsory; the vehicle must have a working horn, lights, and mirrors as required by law.

When selling a motorcycle, the seller must provide the registration certificate and a certificate of conformity; the buyer must register the vehicle in their name.

The technical inspection checks brakes, lights, steering, tyres, exhaust emissions, and frame integrity; a failed inspection requires a re-test within a specified period.