WalloniaWallonia

Drive on the right and normally overtake on the left.

Many core traffic rules are Belgian federal rules, including priority, alcohol, seat belts, child restraints and mobile-phone use. Wallonia has regional competence over matters including important speed rules, road management, vehicle inspection and aspects of road charging.

Call 112 for an ambulance, the fire service or other emergency assistance. For urgent police assistance in Belgium, you can also call 101.

The general Belgian limit applies. An ordinary driver is punishable from 0.5 g/L of alcohol in the blood, equivalent to 0.22 mg/L in exhaled air. A lower threshold of 0.2 g/L applies to specified professional drivers.

No separate lower alcohol threshold applies simply because a driver is young or inexperienced. The ordinary 0.5 g/L threshold applies.

The general maximum inside a built-up area is 50 km/h, unless another limit is indicated. Zone 30 and other lower limits are widely used where road conditions or local activities require them.

On ordinary roads outside built-up areas, the general maximum is 90 km/h, unless a lower limit is posted or a vehicle-specific limit applies. This differs from Flanders, where the corresponding general limit is 70 km/h.

The general maximum on motorways is 120 km/h. The same ceiling can apply on roads with at least two lanes in each direction where opposing traffic is physically separated rather than separated only by road markings.

On a chaussée à voie centrale, the Walloon general maximum is 70 km/h, unless a lower limit is indicated.

Yes. For example, vehicles and combinations with a maximum authorised mass above 3.5 tonnes and buses are generally limited to 90 km/h on roads where the ordinary maximum is 120 km/h. Other vehicle-specific limits can also apply.

Not yet. Ordinary passenger cars do not currently need a road vignette in Wallonia. A common interregional digital road vignette is planned for Belgium from 1 May 2027, subject to final approval.

Yes. In July 2026, Belgium's three regions announced agreement in principle on a common digital road vignette for cars, mixed-use cars and vans up to 3.5 tonnes, with introduction targeted for 2027. The necessary interregional agreement, legislation and European approval are still being completed, so it is not yet a current driving requirement.

Yes. Goods vehicles covered by Belgium's Viapass kilometre charge must use an activated On Board Unit when travelling on roads included in the charging network. Wallonia applies its own regional kilometre-charge rates.

There is currently no low-emission zone covering all of Wallonia. The planned region-wide restriction on older vehicles was repealed in 2024. Walloon cities and municipalities retain the legal possibility of establishing local low-emission zones where justified.

Ordinary cars do not have a general requirement to use dipped headlights throughout normal daylight. Lights must be used at night and when visibility is insufficient.

Yes. Two-wheeled mopeds and motorcycles must use their dipped headlight and red rear light continuously while riding.

Yes. Drivers and passengers must wear a seat belt on seats equipped with one, subject to limited statutory exemptions.

Children under 18 years old and shorter than 135 cm must normally travel in a suitable child-restraint system. Specific exceptions apply in certain vehicles and limited circumstances.

Yes. Drivers and passengers of motorcycles and the relevant classes of mopeds must wear an approved protective helmet.

Except when the vehicle is stationary or parked, a driver may not use, hold or manipulate a mobile electronic device with a screen unless it is fixed to the vehicle in a holder intended for that purpose.

The general Belgian rule is priority from the right. A driver must give way to a vehicle approaching from the right unless signs, signals or another statutory exception establish a different priority.

A driver entering a roundabout must give way to traffic already circulating on the roundabout.

Yes. At an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, drivers must approach at moderate speed and give way to pedestrians who are on the crossing or about to enter it.

Leave at least 1 metre of lateral distance inside built-up areas and at least 1.5 metres outside built-up areas when overtaking a cyclist or two-wheeled moped rider.

Inside a built-up area, a driver travelling in the same direction must allow a bus or trolleybus to leave its stop when its driver signals the intention to pull out. Slow down and stop if necessary.

When traffic is strongly congested and a lane ends or is blocked, drivers should use the available lanes until near the obstruction and then merge alternately. Drivers on the continuing lane must allow one vehicle to merge in turn.

Yes. When a queue forms on a carriageway with at least two lanes in the same direction, drivers must create a rescue corridor. On two lanes, traffic in the left lane moves left and traffic in the right lane moves right; with more lanes, the corridor is formed between the leftmost lane and the other lanes.

No. Belgium does not generally require winter tyres. They are nevertheless strongly recommended for winter driving in Wallonia, particularly in the Ardennes, where snow, ice and freezing rain can make conditions difficult.

Yes. Wallonia operates a seasonal Plan Neige, normally from 15 October to 15 April. During serious winter disruption, authorities can ask motorists to limit travel and can temporarily prohibit articulated heavy vehicles longer than 13 metres from particularly sensitive road sections.

A valid EU or EEA driving licence is recognised in Belgium. During the applicable recognition period, qualifying non-EU drivers can use a valid recognised national licence or a qualifying International Driving Permit. An IDP is therefore not universally mandatory; recognition depends on the licence and the driver's circumstances.

Yes. Motor vehicles used on Belgian public roads must have at least third-party liability insurance.

Belgian vehicle rules require important safety equipment including an approved warning triangle, retro-reflective safety vest, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit. The applicable breakdown rules determine when the vest and warning triangle must be used.

An ordinary passenger car generally becomes subject to periodic technical inspection from its fourth anniversary. Other inspections can be required earlier in situations such as resale, certain modifications or the fitting of particular towing equipment.

Not necessarily. The basic system includes periodic inspections, but since 1 January 2025 a well-maintained passenger car can qualify for a two-year inspection interval while it is no more than 8 years old and has no more than 110 000 km, provided the applicable conditions are satisfied.

Traffic signs rely heavily on standard symbols. Written road information is principally in French across most of Wallonia. In the nine municipalities of Belgium's German-speaking area in eastern Wallonia, German is the official administrative language and is used on local road information.