Traffic signsWallonia
Traffic rules
Wallonia
151. Fire extinguisher
A fire extinguisher is a portable safety device used to control or extinguish a small fire. Vehicle fire extinguishers are designed for fires that may involve materials, fuel, electrical equipment or other components, depending on the extinguisher type.
Some countries require certain vehicles to carry a fire extinguisher, while in others it is only recommended. An extinguisher should be securely mounted, readily accessible, suitable for vehicle use and kept in working condition.
Wikimedia.org • Senado Federal • CC BY
Is a fire extinguisher compulsory in a car in Belgium?
Yes. Belgian technical regulations require Belgian-registered cars to carry one or more approved fire extinguishers according to the vehicle's characteristics.
Where must the fire extinguisher be kept in a Belgian vehicle?
It must be securely mounted in a visible and easily accessible location. At least one extinguisher must be within the driver's reach, and the extinguisher must remain operational and within its stated validity period.
152. High-visibility clothing
High-visibility clothing is clothing designed to make a person easier for other road users to see. It commonly uses bright fluorescent material combined with retro-reflective strips that reflect light from vehicle headlights.
High-visibility clothing is especially useful when a driver or passenger must leave a vehicle after a breakdown or emergency. Requirements vary between countries, so drivers should check whether a reflective safety vest must be carried or worn.
Wikimedia.org • Kecko • CC BY
Is a high-visibility vest compulsory in a car in Belgium?
An ordinary Belgian-registered car must carry a retro-reflective safety vest under the technical equipment rules. The separate Road Code duty to wear it applies when the driver leaves a broken-down vehicle on a motorway or road for motor vehicles at a place where stopping or parking is prohibited. Check equipment obligations separately for foreign-registered vehicles.
Should the safety vest be kept within easy reach?
Yes. Because the driver may need to put it on before or immediately after leaving the vehicle, it is sensible to keep the vest somewhere readily accessible rather than underneath luggage in the boot.
153. First aid
First aid is the immediate assistance given to a person who is injured or suddenly becomes ill before professional medical help is available. Its purpose is to preserve life, prevent the condition from becoming worse and support recovery.
At a road accident, first aid begins with making sure the scene is safe, assessing the casualty and contacting the emergency services when necessary. Assistance should be limited to actions the helper knows how to perform safely.
Wikimedia.org • Cory H Jones • CC BY-SA
Which number should you call for medical help after a serious accident in Belgium?
Call 112 when urgent medical assistance is required. Give the operator clear information about the location, the number of casualties and their apparent condition, and follow the instructions you receive.
Should you put yourself in danger while providing first aid?
No. First check for dangers such as moving traffic, fire, fuel or electricity. Protect yourself and others where possible, call the emergency services and only provide assistance that can be given safely.
154. Concrete step barrier
A concrete step barrier is a concrete vehicle-restraint barrier with a stepped or sloping face profile. It is used along roads or in central reservations to contain and redirect vehicles that leave their intended path and to reduce the risk of entering opposing traffic or reaching dangerous roadside hazards.
Concrete step barriers may be cast in place or made from connected prefabricated sections. Their containment level, impact behaviour and permitted movement depend on the particular barrier system and installation.
Wikimedia.org • Pushcreativity • CC BY-SA
What is the purpose of a concrete step barrier on a Belgian road?
Its purpose is to contain or redirect vehicles that leave their normal path and reduce the consequences of reaching opposing traffic or another hazardous area. The required performance depends on the location and the road-restraint system selected.
155. Barriers
Barriers are physical devices used to block, restrict, guide or separate traffic. They can protect road users, close roads or lanes, control access, separate opposing traffic or shield people and work areas from moving vehicles.
Road barriers may be permanent or temporary and can include gates, boom barriers, concrete barriers, movable barriers and other restraint or closure systems. Drivers must respect barriers and must not pass them when they indicate that a road or area is closed.
Wikimedia.org • Wfm • CC BY-SA
What are barriers used for on Belgian roads?
Barriers can be used to close roads or lanes, protect roadworks, control access and keep traffic away from dangerous areas. Their use is often combined with traffic signs, signals or other temporary traffic-management measures.
May you drive around a barrier closing a Belgian road?
No. Drivers must respect road closures and temporary traffic arrangements. A physical barrier used to close a road or lane must not be bypassed unless an authorised person or traffic-control measure specifically allows passage.
156. Vehicle lights
Vehicle lights are lighting and signalling devices fitted to a vehicle to help the driver see, make the vehicle visible and communicate intentions to other road users. They include dipped-beam and main-beam headlights, position lights, daytime running lights, rear lights, brake lights, direction indicators, reversing lights, fog lights and hazard warning lights.
Drivers should use the appropriate lights for the visibility, weather and traffic conditions. Lights must be kept clean and in working condition, and lights that can dazzle other road users should only be used when permitted.
Wikimedia.org • Christopher Ziemnowicz • CC BY-SA
When must vehicle lights be used in Belgium?
Between nightfall and daybreak, and whenever visibility is reduced so that it is no longer possible to see clearly for approximately 200 metres, motor vehicles must use dipped-beam or main-beam headlights together with the required rear lights.
When may fog lights be used in Belgium?
Front fog lights may only be used in fog, snowfall or heavy rain. Rear fog lights must be used in fog or snowfall when visibility is reduced to less than 100 metres and also in heavy rain, and they may not be used in other circumstances.
157. Street lights
Street lights are fixed lighting installations used to illuminate roads, intersections, crossings, footpaths and other public traffic areas during darkness. They improve visibility of the roadway, road users and potential hazards.
Street lighting does not replace a driver's responsibility to use the vehicle's required lights or to adapt speed to visibility. Lighting levels can vary considerably between roads, and some roads may be only partly illuminated or completely unlit.
Wikimedia.org • Exploringlife • CC BY-SA
Do you still need headlights on a street-lit road in Belgium?
Yes. Between nightfall and daybreak, motor vehicles must use the required vehicle lights even when the road has street lighting. Street lighting does not replace the vehicle's own lighting.
Must a parked vehicle display lights under Belgian street lighting?
Not always. The prescribed lights for a stopped or parked vehicle are only required when the public lighting does not allow the vehicle to be clearly seen from approximately 100 metres away.
158. Dipped beam
Dipped beam is the low-beam setting of a vehicle's headlights. It illuminates the road ahead while directing the light downward so that it is less likely to dazzle drivers and other road users.
Dipped-beam headlights are normally used at night, in poor visibility and whenever main beam could dazzle another road user. They provide less illumination than main beam but are suitable for normal driving when other traffic is nearby.
Wikimedia.org • Ehsnils • CC BY-SA
When must dipped beam be used in Belgium?
Dipped beam must be used when vehicle lighting is required and main beam may not be used. This includes situations where main beam could dazzle an approaching road user, when following another vehicle at less than 50 metres except while overtaking, and on a continuously well-lit road where the driver can see clearly for approximately 100 metres.
Must motorcycles use dipped beam during the day in Belgium?
Yes. Two-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles travelling on public roads must continuously use their dipped-beam headlight and red rear light, including during daytime. Main beam may not be used for this daytime-lighting requirement.
159. High beam
High beam, also called main beam, is the headlight setting designed to illuminate the road a long distance ahead. It provides stronger and farther-reaching illumination than dipped beam but can dazzle other road users if used incorrectly.
High beam is mainly useful on dark roads where there is no nearby traffic that could be dazzled. Drivers must switch to dipped beam whenever required by traffic conditions or national rules.
Wikimedia.org • Ehsnils • CC BY-SA
When may you use high beam in Belgium?
High beam may be used when driving lights are required and none of the dipped-beam conditions applies. Dip in time to avoid dazzling an approaching road user, a rail-vehicle driver or a boat operator, when following another vehicle within 50 metres except while overtaking, and on continuously well-lit roads with about 100 metres of clear visibility.
Must you dip your high beam if an approaching driver signals that they are dazzled?
Yes. When an approaching driver repeatedly flashes their high beams to indicate that they are being dazzled, you must switch from high beam to dipped beam.
160. Fog lights
Fog lights are vehicle lights designed for use in conditions where visibility is seriously reduced by fog, snow or other severe weather. Front fog lights illuminate the road ahead at a low level, while rear fog lights make the vehicle more visible to road users approaching from behind.
Fog lights should only be used in the conditions permitted by local traffic rules. Rear fog lights are particularly bright and can dazzle or distract following drivers when visibility is good.
Wikimedia.org • Ehsnils • CC BY-SA
When may front fog lights be used in Belgium?
Front fog lights may only be used during fog, snowfall or heavy rain. They may replace dipped beam or main beam or may be used together with those lights.
May you use rear fog lights in normal weather in Belgium?
No. Rear fog lights may not be used outside the circumstances permitted by the Road Code because their strong light can unnecessarily affect drivers travelling behind.
161. Front fog lights
Front fog lights are low-mounted vehicle lights designed to improve illumination of the road immediately ahead when visibility is reduced by fog, snow or heavy rain. Their beam is generally wide and directed low towards the road surface.
Front fog lights should only be used in the weather conditions permitted by local traffic rules. They are supplementary lights and should not be used unnecessarily in normal visibility.
Wikimedia.org • Ehsnils • CC BY-SA
When may front fog lights be used in Belgium?
Front fog lights may only be used during fog, snowfall or heavy rain. They may not be used simply because it is dark or because the driver wants additional illumination.
Is there a minimum visibility distance for using front fog lights in Belgium?
No specific visibility-distance threshold applies to front fog lights under the current rule. Their use depends on the presence of fog, snowfall or heavy rain. The 100-metre visibility threshold applies to rear fog lights in fog or snow, not to front fog lights.
162. Rear fog lights
Rear fog lights are bright red lights at the rear of a vehicle that make it easier for following road users to see the vehicle when visibility is severely reduced. They are much brighter than normal rear position lights.
Because rear fog lights can dazzle or distract drivers behind, they should only be used in the weather conditions permitted by local traffic rules and should be switched off when visibility improves.
Wikimedia.org • Ehsnils • CC BY-SA
When must rear fog lights be used in Belgium?
Where fitted, rear fog lights must be used when fog or snowfall reduces visibility to less than 100 metres, and also during heavy rain. The heavy-rain rule does not depend on that visibility threshold. Switch them off when the permitted conditions no longer apply.
May rear fog lights be used in normal weather in Belgium?
No. Rear fog lights may only be used in the circumstances prescribed by the Road Code. They must be switched off when those conditions no longer apply.
163. Side lights
Side lights, also called position lights, are low-intensity vehicle lights used to make a vehicle visible and indicate its presence and approximate width. Unlike dipped-beam or high-beam headlights, they are not designed to illuminate the road far enough for normal driving at night.
Side lights are commonly used together with other vehicle lighting and may also be used to make a stationary or parked vehicle visible in darkness. Their required use depends on national traffic rules.
Wikimedia.org • Chris828 • CC0
Can you drive at night using only side lights in Belgium?
No. When vehicle lighting is required while driving, a motor vehicle must use dipped-beam or high-beam headlights at the front and the required red lights at the rear. Side lights alone are therefore not sufficient for normal night driving.
Can parking lights replace side lights on a parked vehicle in Belgium?
Yes, under certain conditions within built-up areas. When the vehicle is parked parallel to the road and has no trailer attached, its position and rear lights may be replaced by a parking light on the side facing the centre of the carriageway.
164. Turn signals
Turn signals, also called direction indicators, are flashing lights used to communicate a driver's intention to turn or move laterally, such as when changing lanes. They normally flash on the side towards which the vehicle intends to move.
Turn signals should be activated early enough to give other road users useful warning and should be cancelled once the intended movement has been completed. Signalling does not itself give the driver priority or make an unsafe manoeuvre permissible.
Wikimedia.org • Ehsnils • CC BY-SA
When must you use turn signals in Belgium?
You must use them in good time before a manoeuvre or movement involving a lateral displacement or change of direction, such as turning or changing lanes. Signalling does not remove the obligation to give way when the applicable rules require it.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 13 and 19.2
Must you signal when leaving a roundabout in Belgium?
Yes. Leaving a roundabout is considered a change of direction for which the direction indicators must be used. The signal should be cancelled once the exit movement has been completed.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 13 and 19.2
165. Hazard lights
Hazard lights, also called hazard warning lights, make all of a vehicle's direction indicators flash simultaneously. They are used to warn other road users that the vehicle or traffic situation presents an unusual or immediate danger.
Hazard lights may be appropriate after a breakdown, collision or when warning following traffic of a sudden hazard. They should not normally be used as a substitute for proper parking, signalling or vehicle lighting.
Wikimedia.org • Ehsnils • CC BY-SA
When may hazard lights be used in Belgium?
Hazard lights may be used in the situations specifically provided for by the Road Code and to warn other road users of an imminent danger of an accident. This can include warning traffic behind of an unexpected dangerous situation.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 32bis, 39bis.2 and 51
🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 32bis, 39bis.2 and 51
Can you use hazard lights when approaching a sudden traffic queue in Belgium?
Yes, when the sudden queue creates an imminent risk of a collision. Briefly using the hazard lights can warn following drivers of the danger, but they should not remain on once the warning is no longer necessary.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 32bis, 39bis.2 and 51
🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 32bis, 39bis.2 and 51
166. Dashboard lights
Dashboard lights are illuminated symbols and indicators on a vehicle's instrument panel that provide information about the vehicle's operation, systems and possible faults. They can show functions such as headlights, turn signals, fuel level, engine condition, tyre pressure, braking systems and safety equipment.
Dashboard lights commonly use different colours to indicate importance. Green or blue usually shows that a system is operating, amber or yellow generally indicates that attention may be required, and red often warns of a serious condition requiring prompt action.
Wikimedia.org • Wiki LIC • CC BY-SA
Do dashboard warning lights have special meanings in Belgium?
The symbols and colours used on modern vehicles generally follow international and European vehicle standards rather than unique Belgian meanings. Drivers should therefore follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions for each warning light.
Can defective dashboard warning systems affect a Belgian technical inspection?
Yes. Warning indicators linked to safety or emissions systems can be checked during technical inspection. A fault indicated by systems such as ABS, airbags or emissions control may result in a defect being recorded.
167. Bicycle lighting
Bicycle lighting refers to lights and reflectors fitted to a bicycle to help the rider see and be seen, especially in darkness or reduced visibility. Required equipment and the circumstances in which bicycle lights must be used vary by country, so riders should follow the applicable local rules.
Wikimedia.org • Santeri Viinamäki • CC BY-SA
168. Bicycle bell
A bicycle bell is a small audible warning device fitted to a bicycle, usually on the handlebars, and used to alert pedestrians, cyclists or other road users when necessary. Requirements to fit or use a bell vary by country and road environment. Riders should use it as a warning device without causing unnecessary disturbance.
Wikimedia.org • Vaikoovery • CC BY
169. Headlight flashing
Headlight flashing means briefly flashing a vehicle's headlights to attract another road user's attention. Its permitted use and meaning vary by country and situation, so drivers should not assume that a flash grants priority or authorises a manoeuvre. Headlights should not be flashed in a way that dazzles or distracts other road users.
Wikimedia.org • A. Bailey • CC BY-SA
170. Seat belt
A seat belt is a restraint system designed to hold a vehicle occupant securely in their seat during sudden braking or a collision. It helps reduce the risk of the occupant striking the vehicle interior or being thrown from the vehicle.
A seat belt should fit firmly across the body, with the lap section positioned low across the hips and the shoulder section across the chest. It should not be twisted, placed behind the back or used in a way that reduces its protective effect.
Wikimedia.org • Jusmar • CC0
Must drivers and passengers wear seat belts in Belgium?
Yes. Drivers and passengers in cars must wear the seat belts provided at their seating positions. The belt must be used in a way that does not reduce its protective function.
Can someone be exempt from wearing a seat belt in Belgium?
Yes, but only in specific circumstances. Medical exemptions require an official exemption based on a medical certificate, and certain limited exemptions also apply to particular drivers or activities specified by the Road Code.
171. Child restraints
Child restraints are safety systems designed to protect children travelling in vehicles. They include rear-facing and forward-facing child seats and booster seats that position and restrain a child according to their size and the restraint system's specifications.
A child restraint should be suitable for the child and vehicle, installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and secured correctly on every journey. Rear-facing restraints must never be placed in front of an active frontal airbag.
Wikimedia.org • Pieter Kuiper • CC BY-SA
When must a child use a child restraint in Belgium?
Children under 18 who are shorter than 135 cm must generally be transported in a child-restraint system that is suitable for them. Children who are at least 135 cm tall may use the vehicle's seat belt instead.
Can a child under 135 cm travel without a child seat in Belgium?
Only under the Road Code’s specific exceptions. For occasional short-distance transport in a qualifying vehicle with no or insufficient child restraints, a child aged at least three and under 135 cm may use a rear-seat belt; this exception does not apply when a parent of the child is driving. A separate exception concerns a third child when two occupied child restraints prevent installation of another. Use a suitable restraint whenever the normal requirement applies.
172. Head restraints
Head restraints, also called headrests, are vehicle safety devices designed to limit the rearward movement of an occupant's head relative to the body during a collision. They help reduce the risk of injuries to the neck and cervical spine, particularly in rear impacts.
An adjustable head restraint should be positioned so that it supports the back of the head rather than the neck and is as close to the head as practical. Drivers and passengers should adjust the restraint to their body size before travelling.
Wikimedia.org • BrendelSignature • CC BY-SA
What is the purpose of a head restraint in a Belgian vehicle?
Its purpose is to limit excessive rearward movement of the occupant's head during a collision and thereby reduce the risk of injury to the neck and cervical spine.
Can fitted head restraints simply be removed from a vehicle?
Keep head restraints fitted and correctly adjusted for occupied seats in normal use. Follow the vehicle and child-seat manufacturers’ installation instructions: some child-seat installations require the relevant head restraint to be removed temporarily. Secure any removed restraint and refit it before that seat is used normally again.
173. Airbag
An airbag is a vehicle safety device that rapidly inflates during certain collisions to help reduce the risk of an occupant striking the steering wheel, dashboard, doors or other parts of the vehicle interior. Vehicles may have frontal, side, curtain or other types of airbags.
Airbags form part of a supplemental restraint system (SRS) and are designed to work together with seat belts rather than replace them. Occupants should sit correctly, wear their seat belts and follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions concerning airbags and child-restraint systems.
Wikimedia.org • Transport For NSW • CC BY-SA
What is an airbag in a Belgian vehicle?
An airbag is part of the vehicle's supplemental restraint system and is designed to provide additional occupant protection during certain collisions.
Does an airbag replace the seat belt in Belgium?
No. Drivers and passengers must still wear the required seat belts. Airbags are designed to supplement the protection provided by the seat belt.
Can a rear-facing child seat be placed in front of an active airbag in Belgium?
No. A child under 18 may not be transported in a rear-facing child-restraint system on a passenger seat protected by an active frontal airbag.
174. ABS
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is an active safety system that helps prevent a vehicle's wheels from locking during hard braking. It automatically adjusts braking pressure at individual wheels so that they continue to rotate sufficiently to maintain directional control.
When ABS operates, the driver may feel rapid pulsing or vibration through the brake pedal. The driver should normally maintain firm braking pressure and continue steering towards a safe path rather than repeatedly releasing and reapplying the brake.
Wikimedia.org • Chris828 • CC0
What does ABS do on a vehicle in Belgium?
ABS automatically regulates braking pressure when a wheel is about to lock during strong braking. This helps the wheels continue rotating sufficiently for the driver to retain directional control.
Does ABS mean you can drive faster or follow more closely?
No. ABS cannot overcome the limits of tyre grip and does not guarantee a shorter stopping distance. Drivers must still adapt their speed and following distance to the road, weather and traffic conditions.
175. Esp
ESP (Electronic Stability Program), also known as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), is an active safety system designed to help prevent a vehicle from skidding or losing directional control. It compares the driver's intended direction with the vehicle's actual movement and can intervene when instability is detected.
ESP can automatically brake individual wheels and, depending on the vehicle, reduce engine power to help bring the vehicle back towards the intended path. The system operates within the limits of tyre grip and cannot overcome excessive speed or very slippery conditions.
Wikimedia.org • Chris828 • CC0
What does ESP mean on a vehicle in Belgium?
ESP means Electronic Stability Program and is also commonly called ESC, or Electronic Stability Control. It is an active safety system that helps stabilise the vehicle when it detects a loss of directional control.
Does ESP allow you to drive faster on slippery Belgian roads?
No. ESP provides additional assistance but cannot overcome the limits of tyre grip. Drivers must still adapt their speed to rain, snow, ice, bends and other road conditions and remain responsible for maintaining safe control of the vehicle.