Belgium Theory B cheat sheet

Belgian road signs follow the Vienna Convention shapes: danger/warning signs are triangular with a red border, prohibition signs are round with a red border, and mandatory instruction signs are round and blue.

Rectangular blue signs give information or indicate a specific road category; white rectangular signs with a black symbol mark a built-up area (agglomeration), and a red diagonal bar across it marks the end of that area.

Priority road status is shown by the yellow diamond sign with white border; a yellow diamond crossed by a black band ends the priority road, after which the normal right-hand priority rule applies again.

Traffic light sequence is red, then red plus amber together, then green, then amber alone; the red-plus-amber phase means drivers must prepare to move but may not proceed until green appears.

A flashing amber light at a junction means the signals are out of order or caution is required; the standard priority rules then determine right of way rather than the light.

Markings: a continuous white line may not be crossed, a broken line may be crossed for overtaking or lane changes, and a broken line with a continuous line means the rule of the line nearest your side applies.

Zigzag or yellow markings indicate bus stops or no-parking zones; a solid white stop line at a junction requires a complete stop before proceeding.

Level crossing signs: a St Andrew's cross marks a crossing without barriers, and flashing red lights or a bell require an immediate stop; the second train warning means a second train may follow.

Default rule in Belgium: at an intersection without signs or signals, drivers yield to traffic approaching from the right (priorité à droite).

Turning drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the road they are entering and to oncoming traffic when turning left across the opposite lane.

A driver leaving a private property, parking area, garage or unpaved road must yield to all traffic already on the public road.

Trams have priority over other vehicles unless signs or signals state otherwise; a tram approaching from any direction at an intersection generally keeps its right of way.

Overtaking is normally done on the left; passing on the right is allowed only in specific cases such as when the vehicle ahead is turning left or in slow-moving queues in separate lanes.

At a roundabout marked with yield signs, entering traffic yields to traffic already circulating; without such signs the right-hand rule may apply, so the signage must be read.

Emergency vehicles with flashing blue lights and sirens have priority; other drivers must slow, pull aside and if necessary stop to let them pass.

Motorways: entering traffic must yield and use the acceleration lane; reversing, U-turns and stopping on the carriageway are prohibited except on marked emergency areas.

Belgian vehicles must pass periodic technical inspection (contrôle technique); private cars are inspected first after four years and then generally every two years, with the inspection certificate carried or available.

Minimum tyre tread depth for passenger cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; tyres must match the manufacturer's specifications and be free of damage.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants; children under 1.35 m must use an approved child restraint suited to their height and weight.

A warning triangle and a reflective vest are required equipment; the vest must be worn when leaving a vehicle stopped on the road or hard shoulder, and the triangle placed at a suitable distance behind the vehicle.

Lighting rules: dipped headlights are required at night, in tunnels, and in poor visibility; front fog lights may only be used in fog, heavy rain or falling snow, not as a substitute for headlights.

A spare wheel, jack and wheel brace are recommended; a fire extinguisher and first-aid kit are not universally mandatory for private cars but are advisable.

The vehicle registration document and proof of insurance must be carried; an annual road tax and technical inspection must be kept current for the vehicle to be legally used.

Speed limiters and emission standards apply to newer vehicles; a vehicle that fails inspection may be restricted or prohibited from driving until repairs are made and verified.

Safe following distance is often taught as the two-second rule, increasing to four seconds or more in rain, at night or when following a heavy vehicle.

Stopping distance equals reaction distance (speed multiplied by reaction time) plus braking distance; braking distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

Defensive driving: scan far ahead, check mirrors every few seconds, maintain a space cushion around the vehicle, and anticipate the actions of other road users.

In fog, rain or snow, reduce speed, increase following distance, use dipped headlights and avoid sudden braking or steering; aquaplaning is countered by easing off the accelerator and holding the wheel steady.

Blind spots must be checked by mirror and shoulder glance before changing lanes; heavy goods vehicles have large blind spots, so avoid lingering alongside them.

At night, reduce speed so you can stop within the illuminated distance; dip headlights when meeting oncoming traffic or following another vehicle to avoid dazzling.

Hazard perception includes recognising vulnerable road users: children near schools, cyclists at junctions, pedestrians stepping out from between parked cars, and elderly road users.

Alcohol, fatigue and distraction increase reaction time; a driver who feels drowsy should stop in a safe place and rest rather than continue driving.

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

The 30 km/h limit applies in school zones and residential areas marked by zone signs; the limit remains in force until the end-of-zone sign.

Speed limits may be lowered by signs, road works or weather; a lower posted limit always overrides the general limit.

Stopping (arrêt) means a brief halt to pick up or set down passengers or load; parking (stationnement) means leaving the vehicle unattended for longer.

Parking is prohibited within 5 metres before pedestrian crossings, on pavements unless permitted, in front of driveways, at bus stops, and on cycle paths.

On roads with a single carriageway in built-up areas, parking is generally allowed on the right side; on one-way roads parking may be allowed on both sides if markings permit.

When stopping or parking at night on an unlit road outside built-up areas, hazard lights or parking lights must be used to make the vehicle visible.

Double parking, parking on the left against traffic flow, and parking in disabled bays without a valid card are offences subject to fines and possible towing.

The legal blood alcohol limit in Belgium is 0.5 g per litre of blood (0.22 mg per litre of breath); novice drivers within two years of passing and professional drivers face a stricter 0.2 g/L limit.

Driving under the influence of illegal drugs is prohibited; police may test saliva or blood, and refusal to cooperate can lead to penalties.

Medication that impairs alertness must not be combined with driving; package leaflets carry a warning pictogram, and a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted.

Fatigue impairs reaction time and judgement; recommended countermeasures are stopping for a rest, a short nap and caffeine, not opening a window or turning up music.

Alcohol effects are worsened by fatigue, medication and empty stomach; the body eliminates alcohol slowly, so coffee, cold showers and food do not speed up sobering.

A driver who is unfit through illness, injury or extreme fatigue must not drive; the driver remains responsible for being fit even if a doctor has not formally forbidden it.

Penalties for drink-driving include fines, licence suspension or withdrawal, and possible imprisonment for repeat or serious offences; the vehicle may be immobilised.

Prescribed medication and recreational drugs can interact; combining substances increases impairment and the legal and insurance consequences of a crash.

Driving in Belgium requires a valid driving licence of the correct category, a vehicle registration document, a valid technical inspection certificate and proof of insurance.

Third-party liability insurance (assurance RC auto) is compulsory for every motor vehicle; driving uninsured is an offence with heavy fines and possible vehicle seizure.

The European accident report form (constat amiable) should be completed at the scene after a collision, signed by both drivers and sent to the insurer promptly.

Traffic offences are graded; minor offences carry immediate fines (perception immédiate), while serious offences can lead to prosecution, licence withdrawal and imprisonment.

Driving licence points: serious offences can lead to a period of licence withdrawal or a driving ban; repeat offences within a set period increase penalties.

Hit-and-run, driving without a licence, driving without insurance and driving while disqualified are serious offences with criminal consequences.

The vehicle must display a valid number plate and, where required, a valid inspection sticker; expired documents can result in fines and immobilisation.

Speed cameras and average-speed checks operate on Belgian roads; fines are sent to the registered keeper, who must identify the driver or face additional liability.

Warning signs are placed at a set distance before the hazard, typically about 150 m outside built-up areas and about 50 m inside built-up areas, unless a distance panel states otherwise.

Supplementary plates below a sign give the distance over which the rule applies or the category of road user affected; they modify the main sign's meaning.

A blue round sign with a white arrow indicates a mandatory direction; a red-bordered round sign with a black symbol prohibits the action shown.

Traffic lights may be supplemented by arrows; a green arrow permits movement in that direction even if the main light is red, provided the way is clear.

Pedestrian crossings are marked by broad white stripes (zebra); drivers must yield to pedestrians on or about to use the crossing.

Temporary yellow road markings and signs during road works override the permanent white markings and normal signs.

A white line across the lane at a junction with a stop sign requires a complete stop; at a yield sign the driver must slow and give way without necessarily stopping.

Motorway signage uses blue backgrounds; the emergency telephone symbol and distance markers help locate a breakdown for assistance.

At an intersection where a traffic light is out of order or flashing amber, the right-hand priority rule applies unless signs indicate otherwise.

A driver entering a priority road must yield to traffic already on it; the yellow diamond sign marks that priority road.

When two vehicles arrive simultaneously at an all-way stop, the vehicle on the right has priority; a vehicle already in the intersection should be allowed to clear it.

Pedestrians have priority at marked crossings and when they have started to cross; drivers must slow and stop, and must not overtake a vehicle stopped at a crossing.

Cyclists in a cycle lane have priority when the lane continues straight and a driver turns across it; drivers must check mirrors and blind spots before turning.

On a hill, the descending vehicle generally yields to the ascending vehicle when passing is difficult, unless one vehicle can safely reverse.

Emergency vehicles, police escorts and funeral processions may have special priority; drivers should not break the law to give way but should make room where safe.

Bus lanes may be used by buses, taxis and sometimes cyclists as indicated by signs; other drivers may not use them during operating hours.

Speed limits are enforced by fixed and mobile cameras; average-speed sections measure time over a distance and can penalise sustained speeding.

A zone 30 or zone 50 sign applies to the whole zone until an end-of-zone sign, not just to the road where the sign stands.

In road works, reduced limits and narrow lanes apply; fines for speeding in works zones can be higher and workers' safety rules must be respected.

Stopping or parking on a motorway is prohibited except on emergency lay-bys; a vehicle in difficulty should use the hard shoulder and place a warning triangle.

Parking on a cycle path, pavement or pedestrian crossing is prohibited; parking in front of a fire hydrant or blocking a junction is also an offence.

Blue zone (zone bleue) parking requires a visible disc showing arrival time; exceeding the permitted time results in a fine.

A vehicle parked illegally may be towed; the owner must pay towing and storage costs in addition to the fine.

When parking on a slope, engage the handbrake and turn the wheels toward the kerb; on a hill facing uphill with a kerb, turn wheels away from the kerb.

Breath tests may be requested by police; a positive screening leads to a confirmatory breath or blood test that determines the penalty.

Refusing a breath or blood test is itself an offence and can be treated as seriously as driving over the limit.

A novice driver's stricter 0.2 g/L limit means essentially zero alcohol; even one drink can exceed it.

Some over-the-counter medicines for colds, allergies or pain contain substances that cause drowsiness; the leaflet's warning triangle indicates the risk level.

Illegal drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines impair coordination and judgement; detection can lead to licence withdrawal and criminal prosecution.

Sleep deprivation of 17-19 hours can impair driving comparably to a blood alcohol level above the legal limit; planned rest breaks are essential on long trips.

Alcohol is eliminated at roughly 0.1 to 0.15 g/L per hour, so a driver may still be over the limit the morning after heavy drinking.

An employer or doctor may require a fitness-to-drive assessment; a driver with a medical condition must report it if it affects safe driving.

The driving licence must be carried or produced within a set period when requested; driving without a valid licence is an offence.

Insurance covers third-party liability up to legal minimums; comprehensive cover is optional and covers damage to the insured vehicle.

A claim must be reported to the insurer promptly; delays or omissions can reduce or invalidate cover.

Fines for speeding, red-light running and illegal parking are issued by police or automated cameras; payment within the stated period may reduce the amount.

Serious offences such as drink-driving, hit-and-run and driving without insurance can lead to court, a criminal record, licence withdrawal and imprisonment.

The licence may be withdrawn immediately by police in serious cases; a judge then decides on the length of the driving ban.

Vehicle documents must be kept current: expired technical inspection or insurance can lead to fines, immobilisation and refusal of insurance cover after a crash.

Driving licence categories determine which vehicles may be driven; driving outside the category held is an offence equivalent to driving without a licence.