Bus laneWallonia
Traffic rules
Wallonia
16. Bus lane
A bus lane is a traffic lane reserved primarily for buses or other authorised public-transport vehicles. It is intended to improve the reliability and flow of public transport by allowing authorised vehicles to avoid general traffic congestion.
Other road users, such as taxis, cyclists, motorcycles or vehicles carrying several occupants, may also be permitted when signs expressly allow them. The operating hours, permitted vehicles, direction of travel and rules for entering or crossing the lane depend on local traffic signs and regulations.
Wikimedia.org • Jeanhousen • CC BY-SA
How can you recognise a bus lane in Belgium?
A Belgian bus lane (F17) is delimited by one or two broad broken white lines or a checkerboard marking of white squares. A special traversable bed (F18) uses one or two broad continuous white lines or a white checkerboard marking. Neither facility forms part of the carriageway. Regular public-transport services may use them; additional categories require the relevant indication on the sign or supplementary panel.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
Which other vehicles may be permitted?
Additional permitted categories can include school-transport vehicles, taxis, cycles, the indicated classes of mopeds, motorcycles, passenger vehicles with more than eight passenger seats, commuter vehicles, vehicles meeting the displayed occupancy condition, vehicles promoting sustainable mobility and vehicles used for collective transport of people with disabilities. The relevant symbol, word or identification sign must appear on F17 or its supplementary panel. The same category system applies to F18; any required vehicle identification must also be displayed.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
May cyclists use every Belgian bus lane?
No. Cyclists may use a bus lane only when the bicycle symbol or another legally valid indication permits them.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
May mopeds or speed pedelecs use a bus lane?
Only when the applicable moped class or speed-pedelec indication permits them. Drivers must check the F17 sign and its additional panel carefully.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
May you stop or park in a Belgian bus lane?
An unauthorised driver may not use a bus lane as a stopping or parking place. Separate bus-stop, parking and local signs must also be respected, and the passage of authorised vehicles may not be obstructed.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 43.2, 71.2 and 72.5–72.6 (F17/F18)
