Belgium Theory D cheat sheet

Belgian road signs follow the Vienna Convention shapes: danger warning signs are triangles with red borders, prohibition signs are red-rimmed circles, mandatory instruction signs are blue circles, and information signs are blue or green rectangles.

Priority road status is shown by a yellow diamond with white border (sign B1); a black diagonal bar across it (B3) marks the end of the priority road.

Sign B9 (white triangle with red border, 'voorrang verlenen') requires yielding at the next junction; B15 is a STOP sign requiring a complete halt at the stop line or, absent a line, at the edge of the crossing carriageway.

Traffic lights: red means stop before the line, amber alone means stop unless stopping is unsafe, green means proceed only if the exit is clear; flashing amber permits proceeding while yielding to other traffic.

Longitudinal markings: broken white lines may be crossed for overtaking; a continuous white line may not be crossed; a double continuous line separates opposing traffic with the same prohibition.

Zigzag or broken lines near bus stops reserve the zone for buses; yellow zigzags or dashed yellow lines on the kerb restrict stopping and parking.

A yellow continuous line along the kerb prohibits stopping and parking; a yellow broken line prohibits parking only.

Direction arrows painted in a lane bind the driver to follow that direction at the next junction; a white triangle painted on the road is a yield marking accompanying sign B1.

Default rule in Belgium: at an intersection without signs or markings, the driver must yield to traffic approaching from the right.

Sign B1 (yellow diamond) establishes priority over traffic from side roads; it does not exempt the driver from yielding to emergency vehicles with sirens and blue lights.

A STOP sign or yield sign overrides the general right-hand rule, requiring the driver to give way to all traffic on the intersecting road.

Turning left across oncoming traffic: the turning driver yields to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right, regardless of the right-hand rule.

Entering a roundabout marked with yield signs: traffic already circulating has priority; the right-hand rule does not apply inside the roundabout.

Trams have priority over other vehicles unless a sign or signal indicates otherwise; a driver must yield to a tram approaching from any direction when it cannot otherwise pass.

Emergency vehicles using blue flashing lights and a two-tone siren have absolute priority; other drivers must clear the path and, if necessary, stop.

When leaving a private drive, garage, parking area, or unpaved road, the driver must yield to all traffic on the public road, including pedestrians and cyclists.

General speed limits for vehicles up to 3.5 t: 30 km/h in built-up areas (unless signed otherwise), 70 km/h on ordinary roads outside built-up areas, and 120 km/h on motorways.

Regional variations exist: in the Brussels-Capital Region the default urban limit is 30 km/h throughout; in Flanders and Wallonia, 50 km/h applies on urban roads unless signed 30.

Minimum following distance outside built-up areas: at least 2 seconds from the vehicle ahead; on motorways and roads with a central reservation, a distance equal to the distance travelled in 2 seconds is required.

Overtaking is prohibited on level crossings, at pedestrian crossings, and where a continuous white line separates the lanes; it is also prohibited where visibility is insufficient.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants in seats fitted with belts; children under 1.35 m must use an approved child restraint appropriate for their height and weight.

Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited; hands-free use is permitted only with a system that does not require holding the device.

Alcohol limit: 0.5 g/L blood alcohol (0.22 mg/L breath) for standard drivers; 0.2 g/L for professional drivers and novice drivers within two years of obtaining the licence.

Parking is prohibited within 5 m of an intersection, on pedestrian crossings, on cycle paths, and in front of driveways unless the property owner consents.

Category D covers buses and coaches with more than 8 passenger seats plus the driver; a D licence requires the holder to be at least 24 years old, or 21 with a certificate of professional competence (code 95).

Category D1 covers minibuses with 9 to 16 passenger seats plus the driver, with a maximum authorised mass of 3,500 kg; minimum age is 21.

A code 95 entry on the driving licence confirms completion of 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years, mandatory for professional drivers in categories C and D.

Documents that must be carried on a bus: valid driving licence, certificate of registration, insurance certificate, roadworthiness certificate (technical inspection), and tachograph records.

Buses and coaches must pass periodic technical inspection (keuring) at intervals set by the region, generally annually for vehicles used for paid passenger transport.

A driver's medical certificate must be renewed periodically; for category D holders this is typically every 5 years until age 50, then more frequently.

Driving licences are valid for 10 years for categories AM, A, B and B+E, and 5 years for C, C+E, D and D+E; renewal requires a medical examination.

The European driving licence card must be presented on demand to police; failure to produce documents can result in a fine and immobilisation of the vehicle.

Buses must be fitted with a tachograph, a speed limiter set to 100 km/h for category M3 vehicles, and an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

Fire extinguishers: at least one approved extinguisher with a minimum capacity of 2 kg (or 2 litres) must be carried and inspected annually.

Emergency exits: buses must have clearly marked doors or hatches with red or green markings, and hammer or lever release mechanisms accessible to passengers.

Tyres must have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; on buses, tyres must also be suitable for the axle load and inspected for damage.

Lighting: buses must have working headlights, tail lights, brake lights, direction indicators, hazard warning lights, reversing lights, and side marker lights.

First aid kit contents must include sterile dressings, adhesive plasters, triangular bandages, safety pins, scissors, and disposable gloves; the kit must be checked regularly.

The vehicle's maximum authorised mass (MAM) and axle loads must not be exceeded; overloading affects braking distance and is subject to fines.

The tachograph must be calibrated every 2 years by an approved workshop; a calibration plaque is affixed to the vehicle showing the next calibration date.

Passengers may board and alight only at designated stops or in safe locations; the driver must ensure the doors are closed before moving off.

Standing passengers are permitted only where the vehicle is designed and approved for standing, and never in areas marked as prohibited.

The number of passengers must not exceed the seating capacity plus any approved standing capacity shown on the vehicle's registration document.

Luggage must be stowed in designated compartments or racks so that it cannot obstruct aisles, emergency exits, or fall onto passengers.

School transport: children must be supervised, and the vehicle must display a school transport sign; drivers must exercise extra caution near schools and stops.

Before reversing, the driver must ensure no passengers are behind the vehicle; a guide or trained assistant should be used where visibility is limited.

Passengers with reduced mobility must be given assistance boarding and alighting, and priority seating must be made available to them.

In an emergency evacuation, the driver must switch off the engine, apply the parking brake, open emergency exits, and guide passengers to a safe assembly point.

Daily driving limit: 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week; weekly driving limit: 56 hours; over two consecutive weeks: 90 hours maximum.

A break of at least 45 minutes must be taken after no more than 4.5 hours of driving; this break may be split into 15 minutes followed by 30 minutes.

Daily rest: at least 11 hours of uninterrupted rest within each 24-hour period, reducible to 9 hours up to three times between weekly rests.

Weekly rest: at least 45 hours, which may be reduced to 24 hours provided the reduction is compensated by an equivalent period taken before the end of the third following week.

The tachograph records driving time, other work, availability, breaks and rest; manual entries must be made for any period not recorded automatically.

Drivers must carry and be able to produce tachograph charts or driver cards for the current day plus the previous 28 days.

The tachograph must be used correctly: the driver card must be inserted at the start of the shift and remain in the unit throughout the working day.

A driver may not take a daily rest in the vehicle if it is moving; rest must be taken in a stationary vehicle with the engine off or in suitable accommodation.

Defensive driving: maintain a 2-second following distance in dry conditions, increasing to 4 seconds in rain and at least 6 seconds on ice or snow.

Approach junctions and crossings at a speed that allows stopping within the distance seen to be clear; cover the brake when a hazard is detected.

Blind spots around a bus are large: the driver must check mirrors and use a head-check before changing lanes or turning, especially near cyclists and pedestrians.

Eco-safe driving: accelerate smoothly, maintain steady speed, anticipate traffic to avoid unnecessary braking, and use engine braking on descents.

Correct tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance and fuel consumption; check pressures when tyres are cold and before long journeys.

Idling wastes fuel and increases emissions; switch off the engine during stops longer than about 30 seconds where safe and permitted.

Hazard perception includes scanning far ahead, checking mirrors every 5-8 seconds, and anticipating the actions of pedestrians, cyclists and other drivers.

In fog, heavy rain or snow, reduce speed, increase following distance, use dipped headlights, and switch on fog lights only when visibility is below 50 m.

European emergency number 112 reaches ambulance, fire and police services; provide location, number of casualties, and nature of injuries.

Scene safety first: switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle at least 30 m behind the vehicle (100 m on motorways), and wear a high-visibility vest when leaving the vehicle.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic, drowning); suspected spinal injuries require immobilisation until help arrives.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean dressing or cloth and elevate the limb if possible; do not remove an object embedded in a wound.

Unconscious but breathing casualty: place in the recovery position, monitor breathing, and call 112; if not breathing, begin CPR at 100-120 chest compressions per minute.

Burns: cool with running water for at least 10 minutes, do not apply creams or ice, and cover with a sterile non-adherent dressing.

Breakdown on a motorway: move to the hard shoulder, exit on the passenger side, stand behind the barrier, and call the emergency services or a breakdown service.

After an accident involving injury, the driver must stop, provide assistance, exchange details, and report to police; failure to stop is a criminal offence.