Step 1 of 31The public road and the carriageway
Step 1 of 31 · 19 rules

The public road and the carriageway

Which places the traffic rules cover, what the carriageway is, where you must drive, and a few basics about your licence.

1. Public road vs public area vs private area2. Public area3. Non-public area4. Where the traffic code applies5. Private road6. Tram drivers7. Parts of the public road8. The carriageway9. White line along the edge10. Where you must drive11. Normal maximum speed12. Central lane13. Speed on a central lane14. Side lane15. Who uses the side lane16. Animals on the road17. Temporary licence: night ban18. Holding the steering wheel19. Medically unfit to drive
1

Public road vs public area vs private area

A path or dirt track is a public road if anyone is allowed to use it without having to explain why. A private space is a non-public area that requires permission to enter.

A path or dirt track is a public road if anyone is allowed to use it without having to explain why. A private space is a non-public area that requires permission to enter.

A public road is open to everyone without a reason (street, bridge, tunnel, square). A public area is open only if you have business there. A non-public area is private and needs permission.
ExampleA normal street is a public road, the car park of a restaurant is a public area, a factory yard is non-public.
§Official source · art. 1

Dit reglement geldt voor het verkeer op de openbare weg en het gebruik ervan, door voetgangers, voertuigen, trek-, last- of rijdieren en vee.

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2

Public area

A petrol station is a public area that you may only enter if you have a reason, such as refuelling this motorcycle. You are not allowed to drive through it simply as a shortcut.
A dedicated truck parking area is a public area where vehicles may only enter when they actually need to park or rest. You are not allowed to use it simply as a shortcut.

A petrol station is a public area that you may only enter if you have a reason, such as refuelling this motorcycle. You are not allowed to drive through it simply as a shortcut.

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You may only go there when you really need to be there.
ExampleYou drive into a petrol station to fill up. You cannot just use it as a shortcut.
3

Non-public area

Private property. You may only drive there with permission or a special licence.
ExampleA driving-school practice ground.
§Official source · art. 1

Dit reglement geldt voor het verkeer op de openbare weg en het gebruik ervan, door voetgangers, voertuigen, trek-, last- of rijdieren en vee.

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4

Where the traffic code applies

The traffic code and normal fines apply on public roads. But you still cannot do anything you like elsewhere. Drink-driving, accidents with injuries or driving without a licence can be punished on public areas and private areas too.
§Official source · art. 1

Dit reglement geldt voor het verkeer op de openbare weg en het gebruik ervan, door voetgangers, voertuigen, trek-, last- of rijdieren en vee.

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5

Private road

A road with a 'private property' sign is not a public road, so the traffic code does not apply, unless the owner allows everyone to use it.
§Official source · art. 1

Dit reglement geldt voor het verkeer op de openbare weg en het gebruik ervan, door voetgangers, voertuigen, trek-, last- of rijdieren en vee.

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6

Tram drivers

Tram drivers follow only two things: orders from police and traffic lights. Everything else they can ignore. That is why a tram always goes first.
§Official source · art. 12.1 · last amended 2014-03-01

Elke weggebruiker moet voorrang verlenen aan de spoorvoertuigen; daartoe moet hij zich zo snel mogelijk van de sporen verwijderen.

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7

Parts of the public road

The public road comprises more than just the carriageway. The red cycle tracks and the grass verges on either side are also integral parts of the public road.

The public road comprises more than just the carriageway. The red cycle tracks and the grass verges on either side are also integral parts of the public road.

The road is more than the tarmac. The cycle lane, verge, raised verge, central reservation and pavement are all part of the public road.
§Official source · art. 2.1 · last amended 2024-02-01

" Rijbaan ", het deel van de openbare weg dat voor het voertuigenverkeer in het algemeen is ingericht.

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8

The carriageway

The yellow arrow indicates the carriageway, the hardened surface of the public road designed for vehicular traffic.

The yellow arrow indicates the carriageway, the hardened surface of the public road designed for vehicular traffic.

The carriageway is only the hard surface for vehicles (cars, buses, mopeds, farm vehicles). Cyclists use it when there is no cycle lane. A road can have two carriageways separated by grass or a barrier, as on motorways.
§Official source · art. 2.1 · last amended 2024-02-01

" Rijbaan ", het deel van de openbare weg dat voor het voertuigenverkeer in het algemeen is ingericht.

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9

White line along the edge

The continuous white line painted along the road edge marks where the carriageway ends. It indicates the boundary of the carriageway and has no other legal meaning.

The continuous white line painted along the road edge marks where the carriageway ends. It indicates the boundary of the carriageway and has no other legal meaning.

A solid white line on the edge only marks where the carriageway ends. It has no other meaning.
§Official source · art. 75.1.1° · last amended 2022-10-01

Een witte doorlopende streep mag op de werkelijke rand van de rijbaan, op een trottoirband of op de boordsteen van een verhoogde berm aangebracht worden om deze beter zichtbaar te maken.

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10

Where you must drive

Drivers must stay as far to the right of the carriageway as possible. The white crossover SUV correctly follows the right side rather than driving in the middle.
When a road has two clearly separated carriageways, drivers may not use the carriageway on the left in their direction of travel. The white panel van drives correctly on the right carriageway, while the dark blue sedan is not permitted there.

Passing oncoming traffic

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Drive as far right as possible. Driving in the middle or on the left for no reason is an offence. If the road has two separate carriageways, do not use the left-hand one (the one on your left) unless signs or police say so.
§Official source · art. 9.3.1 · last amended 2004-04-30

Elke bestuurder die de rijbaan volgt moet zo dicht mogelijk bij de rechterrand van die rijbaan blijven

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11

Normal maximum speed

A yellow car drives on a carriageway past a 50 km/h speed limit sign. The normal maximum speed limit on a regular carriageway is 70 km/h in Flanders and Brussels, and 90 km/h in Wallonia.

A yellow car drives on a carriageway past a 50 km/h speed limit sign. The normal maximum speed limit on a regular carriageway is 70 km/h in Flanders and Brussels, and 90 km/h in Wallonia.

On a normal road outside built-up areas: Flanders 70, Wallonia 90, Brussels 70 km/h.
§Official source · art. 11.2 · last amended 2018-04-01

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12

Central lane

On a central carriageway, drive in the middle between the paired dashed lines. You may only move onto the side strips temporarily when passing oncoming traffic.

A central road

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On narrow roads cars are pushed to the middle, marked by two dashed lines on each side. The strips on the sides are not for cars. Cars may only step onto them briefly to pass each other.
§Official source · art. 15.3 · last amended 2022-10-01

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13

Speed on a central lane

On a road with a central lane, the maximum permitted speed is 70 km/h across all Belgian regions.

On a road with a central lane, the maximum permitted speed is 70 km/h across all Belgian regions.

Outside built-up areas: 70 km/h in all regions (inside built-up areas: standard limits apply).
§Official source · art. 11.2 · last amended 2018-04-01

3° tot 70 km per uur op de middenrijbaan.

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14

Side lane

The side lane is not part of the carriageway. You may not drive your car on it (except to cross or pass without hindering others).
§Official source · art. 9.1.1 · last amended 2022-10-01

Wanneer de openbare weg een rijbaan omvat moeten de bestuurders deze rijbaan volgen.

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15

Who uses the side lane

Cyclists, speed pedelecs, class A mopeds, and animals or pedestrians on the left side. Not cars.
§Official source · art. 9.1.2.4° · last amended 2022-10-01

Op voorwaarde rechts in de rijrichting te rijden en voorrang te verlenen aan de voetgangers die zich op dit deel van de openbare weg bevinden, mogen bestuurders van rijwielen, bromfietsen klasse A, speed pedelecs, niet ingespannen trekdieren, last- of rijdieren of vee de zijdelingse strook volgen.

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16

Animals on the road

Every driver must immediately slow down when approaching riding animals on the public road. If a horse gets scared and rears up, you must stop the vehicle and avoid any sudden movements so the rider can calm it.

Approaching a horse and rider

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Slow down immediately when you see horses, cattle or pack animals. If a horse rears up, stop and avoid sudden moves so the rider can calm it.
§Official source · art. 10.3 · last amended 2004-01-01

Elke bestuurder moet vertragen wanneer hij trek-, last- en rijdieren of vee op de openbare weg nadert.

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17

Temporary licence: night ban

With a temporary licence ('L') you may not drive from 22:00 to 06:00 on the nights before Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and the nights around public holidays.
ExampleYou cannot drive on Friday at 23:00.
18

Holding the steering wheel

Hold the steering wheel with both hands at 'ten to two' or 'quarter to three'. Keep your arms slightly bent so you can make steering adjustments safely without removing your hands.
Holding the steering wheel at the bottom like this is incorrect. Always place your hands at 'ten to two' or 'quarter to three' with slightly bent arms to maintain proper control.

Hold the steering wheel with both hands at 'ten to two' or 'quarter to three'. Keep your arms slightly bent so you can make steering adjustments safely without removing your hands.

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Both hands on the wheel at 'ten to two' or 'quarter to three', arms slightly bent so you can make small movements without letting go.
§Official source · art. 8.3 · last amended 2022-07-01

Hij moet steeds in staat zijn alle nodige rijbewegingen uit te voeren en voortdurend zijn voertuig of zijn dieren goed in de hand hebben.

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19

Medically unfit to drive

If a doctor says you are not fit to drive, hand your licence to the municipality within 4 working days. You get it back with a doctor's certificate.

Signs in this lesson

Warning (or danger sign)Dangerous bend to the right.
Warning (or danger sign)Dangerous bend to the left.
Warning (or danger sign)Two or more bends, the first to the left.
Warning (or danger sign)Two or more bends, the first to the right.
Warning (or danger sign)Steep hill downwards.
Warning (or danger sign)Steep hill upwards.
Warning (or danger sign)Falling rocks.
Warning (or danger sign)Loose gravel.
Warning (or danger sign)Road narrows on both sides.
Warning (or danger sign)Road narrows on the left.
Warning (or danger sign)Road narrows on the right.
Warning (or danger sign)Uneven road.
Warning (or danger sign)Speed hump(s).
Warning (or danger sign)Opening or swing bridge ahead.
Warning (or danger sign)Way out on a quay or a riverbank.
Warning (or danger sign)Slippery road.
Warning (or danger sign)Slippery road due to ice or snow.
Warning (or danger sign)Road works.
Warning (or danger sign)Passage of cattle.
Warning (or danger sign)Big game crossing.
Warning (or danger sign)Danger. A plate indicates the nature of the hazard.
Warning (or danger sign)Crossing of a public road by one or more tracks in the carriageway.
Warning (or danger sign)Traffic jam
Information (or informative or indication sign)No through road to all road users.
Information (or informative or indication sign)No through road except for cyclists and pedestrians.
Information (or informative or indication sign)Road number

Test yourself

Pick a level. Questions you have not seen or got wrong come first.

EasyWarm-up: the key facts of this lesson, one step at a time.23 questions
NormalTest level: situations and pictures like on the real test.42 questions
HardBeyond the test: exceptions, numbers and spot-the-mistake pictures.10 questions
Quick checkAll questions free