Speed Limits, Stopping and Parking
Limits by road type
Belgian general speed limits, unless signs say otherwise:
- 50 km/h in built-up areas (within the place-name sign).
- 90 km/h outside built-up areas.
- 120 km/h on motorways.
Signs can raise or lower these, and zone signs apply until the end-of-zone sign. In residential areas and around schools, limits are commonly 30 km/h. In rain, motorway speeds are reduced - the general rule is that the maximum drops to 90 km/h on motorways in wet conditions.
Stopping and parking. "Stopping" means halting briefly with the driver present; "parking" means leaving the vehicle. Parking is prohibited at bus stops, on pedestrian crossings, within 5 m of a crossing, on cycle paths, in front of driveways, and where signs forbid it. Parking against the direction of traffic is not allowed on two-way roads. At night on unlit roads outside built-up areas, park with lights on where required.
Traps:
- The place-name sign marks the start of the 50 km/h zone - questions place a limit sign just before it.
- A zone sign applies to every street inside, not just the one you entered on.
- Blue parking-disc zones require the disc, and the disc must be set to your arrival time.
Rule of thumb: if you are unsure of the limit, look for the place-name sign and default to 50 inside it, 90 outside.
Worked example: you pass a place-name sign and 200 m later see a "70" sign. The limit was 50 from the place-name sign until the 70 sign took effect.