No vehiclesFlanders
Traffic rules
Flanders
93. No vehicles
No vehicles indicates that vehicles are prohibited from entering the road, street or area beyond the sign. Unlike a one-way no-entry restriction, the prohibition normally applies to traffic approaching from both directions.
The exact road users covered by the restriction can vary between countries. Depending on local law, bicycles, mopeds, animal-drawn vehicles or other road users may also be prohibited. Supplementary signs may provide exceptions for residents, deliveries, cyclists, public transport or other authorised traffic.
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Which sign means no vehicles in Belgium?
The Belgian C3 sign, a white circular sign with a red border, means access prohibited in both directions for every driver. It closes the road to drivers entering from either end unless an exception applies.
Access prohibited in both directions.
Signal routier C3 • Accès interdit, dans les deux sens, à tout conducteur.
Verkeersbord C3 • Verboden toegang, in beide richtingen, voor iedere bestuurder.
Is the Belgian C3 sign the same as a no-entry sign?
No. The C1 no-entry sign prohibits drivers from entering in one particular direction. The C3 sign prohibits access in both directions.
Does the C3 sign prohibit cars and motorcycles?
Yes. Drivers of cars, motorcycles and other vehicles may not pass a C3 sign unless a supplementary sign or another legal exception permits them to do so.
Are cyclists prohibited by a C3 sign in Belgium?
Yes, unless an exception is indicated. Cyclists are drivers and bicycles are vehicles under the Belgian Road Code. A supplementary bicycle panel can expressly exempt cyclists from the C3 prohibition.
Can mopeds and speed pedelecs be exempted from a C3 sign?
Yes. The appropriate supplementary panels can exempt cyclists and specified categories of moped riders or speed-pedelec riders from the C3 prohibition.
May pedestrians pass a C3 sign?
Yes, unless another rule or sign prohibits them. C3 applies to drivers rather than pedestrians. A separate prohibition, such as the applicable pedestrian-access sign, is required where pedestrians are also prohibited.
May you walk a bicycle past a C3 sign?
Normally yes, unless pedestrians are also prohibited. Under Belgian rules, a person walking a bicycle by hand is treated as a pedestrian rather than as a cyclist driving a vehicle.
Are horse riders affected by a C3 sign?
Yes. The Belgian definition of a driver also includes persons who lead or control riding, draught or pack animals or livestock. They are therefore covered by a C3 prohibition unless an exception applies.
What does 'Except local traffic' mean below a Belgian C3 sign?
A C3 sign may be supplemented with 'Except local traffic'. Belgian law defines local traffic to include vehicles of residents and their visitors, including delivery vehicles, regular public transport, certain maintenance and supervision vehicles, priority vehicles, cyclists and horse riders.
Can you use a C3 road with an 'Except local traffic' sign as a shortcut?
No. The exception is intended for traffic falling within the Belgian definition of local traffic. Ordinary through traffic that has no qualifying local purpose may not use the restricted road merely as a shortcut.
Can a Belgian C3 sign have a more limited exception?
Yes. Instead of allowing all local traffic, a supplementary panel may specify a more restricted exception, such as access for a particular activity or category of road user.
Does a C3 sign prohibit traffic from only one side of the road?
No. C3 specifically means that access is prohibited in both directions. Where entry is prohibited only from one direction, Belgium uses the C1 no-entry sign instead.
