Road Signs, Signals and Road Markings
Why signs matter in the Belgian test
Belgian theory questions rarely ask you to name a sign in isolation; they place it in a situation and ask what you must do. Learn signs by shape and colour first, because those cues survive poor light and unfamiliar pictograms.
- Danger warning signs are triangular with a red border and white or yellow field. They announce a hazard ahead, not a rule that applies at the sign itself.
- Prohibition signs are round with a red border. A red circle with a number is a speed limit; a white bar on red means no entry for vehicles.
- Mandatory signs are round and blue: directions you must take, paths reserved for cyclists or pedestrians.
- Priority signs include the red-bordered downward triangle (give way) and the yellow diamond (priority road). Learn the yellow diamond's end variant, which cancels priority.
- Information signs are square or rectangular, often blue or green.
Road markings carry legal force too. A continuous white line may not be crossed; a broken line may be crossed when safe. A shark's tooth line across your lane means give way. Yellow markings often relate to parking or bus stops. Traffic lights follow the usual order, but remember: a flashing amber means proceed with caution, and a green light does not by itself give you priority over pedestrians already crossing.
Trap to watch: questions mix a sign with a marking that contradicts it, or show a sign that applies only to certain vehicles (a lorry silhouette on a prohibition sign). Read the whole sign, including any supplementary plate underneath.
Rule of thumb: if you cannot identify a sign within two seconds, slow down and treat it as a warning until you can read it.
Worked example: a round sign with a red border showing "50" under a triangular sign showing a bend. The triangle warns of the bend; the circle sets a 50 km/h limit. Both apply - the limit does not wait until the bend.