Belgium AM Theory cheat sheet

Belgium drives on the right; overtaking normally occurs on the left, and a rider must keep as far right as safely possible without hugging the kerb.

Priority to the right applies at junctions with no signs, no markings and no traffic lights; a moped rider must yield to vehicles approaching from the right.

Sign shapes carry meaning: triangles warn, circles give orders (red border = prohibition, blue = obligation), rectangles inform, and octagons mark STOP.

A STOP sign requires a full stop at the stop line; a yield sign (inverted triangle) requires giving way without necessarily stopping.

Class AM mopeds are not permitted on motorways and roads reserved for motor traffic; cycle paths and cycle lanes are generally where they belong unless a sign states otherwise.

Speed limits: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h outside built-up areas (70 km/h where indicated), and 30 km/h in zones marked by the 30 sign.

Class AM mopeds are limited to 45 km/h by construction; a two-wheel moped carrying a rider may not carry a passenger unless a proper seat and footrests are fitted and the vehicle is approved for two persons.

A cycle street (fietsstraat) gives cyclists priority; mopeds may use it only where allowed and must not overtake cyclists in a way that endangers them.

At pedestrian crossings, pedestrians who are crossing or clearly about to cross have priority; a moped must approach slowly enough to stop.

Wet or damp road surfaces roughly double braking distance; a moped rider should increase following distance to at least 2 seconds in dry conditions and 4 seconds in rain.

The three-second rule for following distance becomes inadequate in rain, at night, or behind large vehicles that block forward vision.

Blind spots: a moped is small enough to disappear from a car's mirrors; avoid riding alongside a vehicle in the area beside the driver's door.

A car turning right across a cycle path is a classic collision; a rider should anticipate the turn and reduce speed rather than assume being seen.

Target fixation and sudden braking on gravel, wet paint, tram rails or manhole covers cause falls; cross such surfaces upright and without braking hard.

At night, ride within the range of your headlight; a dipped beam does not let you stop within the distance you can see at higher speeds.

Dooring hazard: when passing parked cars, keep at least one door's width away or slow down enough to react if a door opens.

Hazard perception requires scanning far ahead, checking mirrors regularly, and reading junctions, driveways and parked vehicles for emerging traffic.

Fatigue, rain and low sun reduce perception; if visibility drops, reduce speed and increase the gap rather than maintain the same pace.

A class AM moped has a maximum design speed of 45 km/h and an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc if it has an internal combustion engine.

Two braking systems are required: a service brake acting on at least one wheel and a separate secondary or parking brake capable of holding the moped.

A moped must have a working speedometer, a horn audible at a reasonable distance, a rear-view mirror, and a red rear reflector.

Lighting requirements include a white front light, a red rear light, a red rear reflector, and a rear brake light; a front white reflector is also required on most configurations.

Tyres must have a tread depth of at least 1 mm in the main grooves and be free of cuts or bulges; tyre pressure affects grip and braking distance.

The exhaust must be the approved type; modifying the exhaust or removing the restrictor makes the vehicle non-compliant and can void insurance.

A moped must be registered with a plate (yellow for mopeds) and carry a valid certificate of conformity; the plate must be fixed and legible.

Brake fluid, chain tension and cable adjustment should be checked regularly; a slack chain can jump the sprocket and lock the rear wheel.

A moped helmet must meet the applicable standard; a damaged helmet that has suffered an impact must be replaced even if it looks intact.

A helmet is mandatory for moped riders and passengers in Belgium; it must be fastened and of an approved type.

A helmet only protects if the chin strap is tight; a loose strap lets the helmet rotate or come off in a crash.

Gloves protect the hands, which are the first thing to hit the ground in a fall; abrasion-resistant gloves with knuckle protection reduce injury.

High-visibility clothing improves being seen; reflective elements matter most at dawn, dusk and night.

Eye protection, either a visor or goggles, prevents wind, insects and debris from impairing vision and causing a loss of control.

Sturdy footwear covering the ankle protects against exhaust burns and foot injuries; loose laces can catch on pedals or the chain.

A passenger on a moped must have a proper seat and footrests and must wear a helmet; carrying a child requires an approved child seat.

Protective clothing should be abrasion-resistant on the outside and not so loose that it flaps or snags on the controls.

In Belgium, the legal blood alcohol limit for riders is 0.5 g/L (0.5 per mille); novice riders within two years of their licence have a limit of 0.2 g/L.

Alcohol slows reaction time, narrows attention and reduces balance, all of which are critical on a two-wheeled vehicle.

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

Medicines with a warning pictogram (a red or orange triangle) can impair driving; check the leaflet and ask a pharmacist before riding.

Combining alcohol with medication or drugs multiplies impairment; even a small amount of alcohol with a sedative can make riding unsafe.

Being tired, ill or emotionally stressed affects fitness to ride just as alcohol does; the legal limit is not a safety threshold.

A rider who feels unwell should not ride; there is no legal obligation to ride, and choosing another form of transport is always permitted.

Penalties for drink-riding include fines, licence withdrawal and possible imprisonment; repeat offences carry heavier sanctions.

At an accident, the first priority is to protect the scene: switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle where safe, and wear a high-visibility vest.

Call the emergency number 112 for an ambulance and police; give the location, the number of casualties and the nature of the injuries.

Do not remove an injured rider's helmet unless it is necessary to keep the airway open; moving the head or neck can worsen a spinal injury.

Check consciousness, breathing and bleeding; if the casualty is not breathing normally, start CPR and use an AED if one is available.

Control severe bleeding with direct pressure using a clean cloth or dressing; do not remove an object embedded in a wound.

Keep the casualty warm and still, reassure them, and do not give food or drink in case surgery is needed.

Exchange details with the other party: name, address, insurance details and registration; a European accident report form helps.

The emergency number 112 works across the EU and is free; 101 is used for police matters that are not urgent in Belgium.

Witnesses should be asked for their contact details; their statements can be decisive in determining fault.

A well-maintained engine, correct tyre pressure and a clean air filter reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Harsh acceleration and late braking waste fuel; smooth, anticipatory riding reduces both consumption and wear.

An idling engine wastes fuel and adds emissions; switching off during long stops is preferable where the vehicle permits.

A two-stroke engine requires oil mixed with fuel or a separate oil reservoir; running without oil can destroy the engine and produce excessive smoke.

An approved exhaust and intact silencer reduce noise pollution; removing the baffle increases noise and is illegal.

Correct disposal of used oil, batteries and tyres is required; these must go to a recycling point, not household waste.

Riding at a steady moderate speed, rather than at maximum speed, lowers emissions and extends the range of the vehicle.

Choosing a moped for short trips instead of a car reduces congestion and emissions, provided the moped is properly maintained.

A moped rider needs at least an AM licence or an equivalent; a Belgian identity card alone is not sufficient to ride a moped.

A moped must be covered by third-party liability insurance (BA); riding without valid insurance is an offence and can lead to heavy fines.

Every moped must be registered and carry a yellow plate; the registration certificate must be kept and produced on request.

The certificate of conformity proves the vehicle meets the approved type; a modified moped can be refused at inspection.

Mopeds are subject to periodic technical inspection in Belgium; the owner receives a summons and must present the vehicle.

Carrying the registration certificate and insurance document is required when riding; police may ask for them at any check.

Penalties for riding without a licence, without insurance or with a modified moped include fines, immobilisation of the vehicle and licence withdrawal.

A moped rider must be identifiable; a helmet with a visor does not exempt a rider from stopping at a police check.

Selling a moped requires transferring the registration; the buyer must insure the vehicle before riding it.