Circulation à sens uniqueWallonie

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13. Circulation à sens unique

La circulation à sens unique signifie que les véhicules sur une route ou une chaussée ne peuvent circuler que dans une direction désignée. Le sens autorisé est normalement indiqué par des panneaux, des flèches de voie ou des marquages routiers.

Certains usagers, tels que les cyclistes ou véhicules de transport public, peuvent être autorisés à circuler dans le sens opposé lorsque des panneaux le permettent expressément. Une rue à sens unique ne détermine pas à elle seule la limitation de vitesse, la priorité ou les règles de stationnement.

Circulation à sens unique
How can you recognise a one-way road in Belgium?

Traffic sign F19 indicates a public road with one-way traffic. Drivers may travel only in the direction shown by the arrow.

Chaussée à sens unique. Chaussée à sens unique.

Signal routier F19 • Voie publique à sens unique.

Verkeersbord F19 • Openbare weg met eenrichtingsverkeer.

What does Belgian traffic sign C1 mean?

Traffic sign C1 means that entry in that direction is prohibited for every driver, unless a supplementary sign provides an exception.

Sens interdit. Sens interdit.

Signal routier C1 • Sens interdit à tout conducteur.

Verkeersbord C1 • Verboden richting voor iedere bestuurder.

What changes for one-way traffic under Belgium’s new Road Code?

Belgium’s new Code of the Public Road takes effect on 1 June 2027. The main traffic signs for one-way traffic keep their existing numbers: traffic sign F19 continues to indicate a public road with one-way traffic, while traffic sign C1 continues to indicate a prohibited direction for all drivers. Traffic sign A39 continues to warn that two-way traffic begins after a section of one-way road. Drivers who are exceptionally allowed to travel in the opposite direction, such as certain cyclists, must keep as far to the right as possible.

Chaussée à sens unique. Chaussée à sens unique.

Signal routier F19 • Voie publique à sens unique.

Verkeersbord F19 • Openbare weg met éénrichtingsverkeer.

Sens interdit. Sens interdit.

Signal routier C1 • Sens interdit à tout conducteur.

Verkeersbord C1 • Verboden richting voor iedere bestuurder.

Avertissement pour une route à double sens. Avertissement pour une route à double sens.

Signal routier A39 • Circulation admise dans les deux sens après une section de chaussée à sens unique.

Verkeersbord A39 • Verkeer toegelaten in beide richtingen na een gedeelte van de rijbaan met éénrichtingsverkeer.

What is the difference between F19 and C1?

F19 is placed at the permitted entrance and confirms the one-way direction. C1 is placed at the opposite end and prohibits entry from that direction.

Must drivers follow the direction shown by F19?

Yes. Drivers may not travel against the indicated direction unless their vehicle category is expressly exempted by a supplementary sign.

May cyclists ride against one-way traffic in Belgium?

Yes, when supplementary signs permit it. An M4 panel with F19 indicates that cyclists may ride in both directions. The corresponding exception is displayed beneath the C1 sign at the opposite entrance.

May class A mopeds ride against the direction?

They may do so when the signs contain the appropriate M5 or corresponding exception panel. Without that indicated exception, they must follow the ordinary one-way direction.

May speed pedelecs ride against the direction?

They may do so when the appropriate supplementary sign, such as M17 or M18, expressly permits them to travel in both directions.

Must drivers expect oncoming cyclists?

Yes. When supplementary signs permit contraflow cycling, drivers must expect cyclists or other authorised two-wheeled vehicles to approach from the opposite direction.

Does an oncoming contraflow cyclist come from a prohibited direction?

No. When the signs legally permit contraflow cycling, the cyclist is travelling in an authorised direction and must be treated as lawful traffic.

Does a Belgian one-way road automatically have priority?

No. F19 regulates only the direction of traffic. Drivers must continue to obey priority signs, traffic lights and the priority-from-the-right rule where applicable.

Can a contraflow cyclist have priority from the right?

Yes. When the cyclist is authorised to travel against the general one-way direction, the ordinary priority rules may apply. Drivers should not assume that an approaching cyclist is coming from a prohibited direction.

What is the speed limit on a Belgian one-way road?

There is no special speed limit solely because the road is one-way. The applicable limit depends on the region, built-up area, speed zone, road type and traffic signs.

Which side of a Belgian one-way road should you normally use?

Drivers must normally keep as close as possible to the right-hand side, unless lane selection, overtaking, congestion, turning or another traffic rule justifies a different position.

Where should you position yourself before turning left?

On a one-way carriageway, a driver turning left must normally move as close as possible to the left-hand edge before completing the turn at moderate speed.

May you overtake on the right?

Not merely because the road is one-way. Overtaking normally takes place on the left. Overtaking on the right is permitted in specific situations, such as when the vehicle ahead has indicated a left turn and has moved left. Faster movement in another marked lane or traffic queue may not legally count as overtaking in certain conditions.

May you stop or park on either side?

Yes. On a Belgian one-way carriageway, a stationary or parked vehicle may be positioned along either side, provided stopping or parking is permitted and all other positioning and clearance rules are respected.

May you park facing against the traffic direction?

The rule allowing parking on either side does not remove the other legal positioning requirements. Drivers should enter the parking place from the permitted direction and position the vehicle safely and lawfully.

May you reverse on a Belgian one-way road?

Reversing is a manoeuvre, so the driver must give way to all other road users. It may be used only where it is safe and not otherwise prohibited; it must not be used as a way to travel along the road against the prescribed direction.

May you make a U-turn?

You may not turn around and then continue against the one-way direction. A driver who has missed a destination should continue in the permitted direction and use another legal route.

Can part of a one-way carriageway temporarily carry traffic in both directions?

Yes. Traffic sign F85 indicates that traffic is permitted in both directions on a section of a carriageway that otherwise carries one-way traffic, often because of roadworks or a temporary traffic arrangement.

What does warning sign A39 mean?

Traffic sign A39 warns that two-way traffic begins after a section of carriageway with one-way traffic.

Avertissement pour une route à double sens. Avertissement pour une route à double sens.

Signal routier A39 • Circulation admise dans les deux sens après une section de chaussée à sens unique.

Verkeersbord A39 • Verkeer toegelaten in twee richtingen na een gedeelte van de rijbaan met eenrichtingsverkeer.

When should you check for contraflow traffic?

Check carefully before turning across the road, leaving a parking place, crossing a cycle route or opening a door. Supplementary signs may permit cyclists, class A mopeds or speed pedelecs to approach from the opposite direction.

1 Wallonie 2 Autoroute 3 Voie rapide 4 Zone résidentielle 5 Agglomération 6 Zone 7 Limitation de vitesse 8 Piste cyclable 9 Rue cyclable 10 Zone piétonne 11 Ralentisseur 12 Douane 13 Circulation à sens unique 14 Quai 15 Pente 16 Voie de bus 17 Impasse 18 Panneau Stop 19 Cédez le passage 20 Rond-point 21 Route prioritaire 22 Rétrécissement de chaussée 23 Priorité sur la circulation venant en sens inverse 24 Cédez le passage à la circulation venant en sens inverse 25 Passage pour piétons 26 Passage à niveau 27 Direction obligatoire 28 Interdiction de tourner 29 Zone scolaire 30 Traversée d’animaux 31 Chutes de pierres 32 Virage 33 Chevron 34 Circulation à contresens 35 Travaux routiers 36 Limitation de hauteur 37 Limitation de largeur 38 Limitation de poids 39 Panneau de contrôle radar 40 Barrières sélectives 41 Panneau directionnel de carrefour 42 Priorité au prochain carrefour 43 Feux de circulation 44 Feux pour piétons 45 Permis de conduire 46 Repère de localisation 47 Miroir routier 48 Frontière internationale 49 Itinéraire cyclable 50 Stationnement 51 Stationnement interdit 52 Dépose-minute 53 Parcmètre 54 Gestion du trafic 55 Marche arrière 56 Carrefour non réglementé 57 État de la chaussée 58 Rocade 59 Autoroute cyclable 60 Plaque d’immatriculation 61 Station de recharge 62 Dangers 63 Tourner au feu rouge 64 Carte d’identité 65 Risque d’incendie 66 Piéton 67 Cyclomoteur 68 Voiture 69 Camion 70 Autobus 71 Police 72 Ambulance 73 Feux de tram 74 Norme européenne d’émissions 75 Nid-de-poule 76 Place 77 Chemin 78 Particules 79 Pollution de l’air 80 Heure de pointe 81 Code de la route 82 Caniveau 83 Vélo cargo 84 Véhicule forestier 85 Véhicule de chantier 86 Ensemble semi-remorque 87 Trolleybus 88 Speed pedelec 89 Véhicule de livraison 90 Moteur au ralenti 91 Dépanneuse 92 Quatre roues motrices 93 Accès interdit à tous les véhicules 94 Vélo 95 Équipement de moto 96 Autorail 97 Voie ferrée 98 Transports publics 99 Caravane 100 Remorque ...