Motorways, highways & lane rules: Belgian Driving Theory Workbook

Part 1

Motorway or highway?

The entrance sign decides which special road rules apply. A motorway is a controlled-access road. A highway restricts who may enter, but it can still include level junctions or traffic lights.

Belgian E40 motorway with physically separated carriageways

Highway

Begins at its own sign. Junctions and traffic lights may be present.

Motorway

Begins at its entrance sign. No level junctions or traffic lights.

FeatureMotorwayHighway

Normal minimum70 km/hNo special minimum

General maximum for a car120 km/hRegional and road-layout rules apply

Level junctions / traffic lightsNoPossible

How the rule startsEntrance signEntrance sign

Part 2

Motorway speed rules

For a car, 120 km/h is the general maximum and 70 km/h is the normal minimum. A posted or lane-control signal can impose a lower limit, and every driver must reduce speed whenever traffic, visibility or road conditions require it.

Variable message signs above lanes on Belgium's E40 motorway

General maximum120km/h

Normal minimum70km/h

Part 3

Lane discipline and overtaking

Keep as far right as possible. Move left to overtake and return right when it is safe. Direction signs, lawful lane selection inside built-up areas and lawful motorcycle filtering rules can change how lanes are used.

Multi-lane road with painted directional arrows

Keep right

Use the right-hand lane whenever the circumstances allow.

Overtake left

Check mirrors and blind spot, signal, pass safely and return right.

Motorcycle filtering

Maximum 50 km/h, no more than 20 km/h faster than traffic, between the two leftmost lanes.

Never use the hard shoulder

The hard shoulder is not an extra traffic lane.

Motorcycle filteringRuleMeaning

Maximum speed50 km/hThe rider may not filter faster than 50 km/h.

Speed differenceMaximum 20 km/hThe motorcycle may travel no more than 20 km/h faster than the traffic being passed.

Filtering positionTwo leftmost lanesFilter between the two lanes furthest to the left—not between any convenient pair.

Part 4

Joining and leaving a motorway

Use the entry lane to build a safe speed, signal left and find a safe gap. Changing lane is a manoeuvre, so traffic already on the motorway has priority. When leaving, signal right, enter the exit lane and then adjust to the posted limit and the curve.

Motorway exit lane curving away from the main carriageway

1Observe

Check mirrors, traffic speed and the available gap.

2Match safely

Build an appropriate speed without exceeding the applicable limit.

3Signal and yield

Indicate left and give way to traffic already on the motorway.

4Merge smoothly

Enter the gap without forcing another driver to brake or change lane.

Give way when joining. Traffic already travelling on the motorway or highway has priority. Merge only when there is a safe gap.

Part 5

Zipper merging

The zipper rule applies when traffic is seriously slowed and a lane ends or is blocked. Drivers in the closing lane stay in it until just before the narrowing; the open lane then lets one driver merge at a time.

Roadworks lane marked by traffic cones on a motorway

ContinueUse both lanes

Stay in your lane while approaching the narrowing.

At the endMerge late

Change lane just before the obstruction or lane end.

One by oneAlternate

The open lane gives way to one merging driver.

SituationCorrect order

One lane closesOne vehicle from the open lane, then one from the closing lane.

Both outer lanes closeThe open middle lane first lets one vehicle merge from the right, then one from the left.

When both outer lanes close

1Right merges

2Left merges

3Middle continues

Part 6

Actions that are prohibited

These rules apply on motorways and, where the code extends them, on highways.

Road arrows and striped barriers guiding motorway traffic

No U-turn

Never use a central crossover to turn around.

No reversing

Do not reverse, even after missing an exit.

No wrong-way driving

If you enter against traffic, stop safely, use hazard lights and call emergency services.

No ordinary towing

Emergency or auxiliary-coupling towing is prohibited on the motorway.

No stopping or parking

On a motorway, stop only where authorised or when an emergency makes it unavoidable.

No shoulder driving

Only authorised emergency and recovery traffic may use it in the specified circumstances.

Part 7

Who may enter?

Motorways exclude pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds, animal traffic, agricultural vehicles, motor quadricycles without a passenger compartment and vehicles unable to reach 70 km/h on a level road.

Open carriageway on the Belgian E40 motorway

May enter

A road-legal car capable of reaching at least 70 km/h on a level road, unless another restriction applies.

May not enter

Pedestrians, bicycles, mopeds, animals, agricultural vehicles and vehicles that cannot reach 70 km/h.

Part 8

Breakdown, warning triangle and rescue lane

Move out of the traffic lanes if possible, activate the hazard lights and warn approaching traffic. If you leave a vehicle stopped where stopping is prohibited on a motorway or highway, wear a reflective safety vest.

Coned-off roadside area illustrating a protected breakdown space

SituationRule to remember

Warning triangle · motorwayAt least 100 metres behind the vehicle.

Warning triangle · ordinary roadAt least 30 metres behind the vehicle.

Warning triangle · visibilityPosition it so approaching drivers can see it from about 50 metres away.

Leaving the vehicleWear the reflective vest when stopped where stopping or parking is prohibited on a motorway or highway.

Traffic queueCreate a rescue lane: left lane moves left; every other lane moves right.

This chapter is study guidance, not legal advice. Current signs, authorised directions and official rules always take priority.

Exam memory

Essential motorway decisions

F5 / F9Identify the road first

F5 begins a motorway; F9 begins a highway. Do not infer the road type from its appearance.

120 / 70Apply conditions, not just numbers

For a car on a motorway: general maximum 120 km/h and normal minimum 70 km/h. Signs, congestion and safety conditions can require less.

RIGHTKeep right after passing

Overtake on the left and return right when safe. The hard shoulder is not an ordinary lane.

100 mProtect a breakdown scene

Wear your vest before leaving. Place the triangle at least 100 m behind on a motorway when safe, visible from 50 m.

1 : 1Merge alternately in heavy congestion

Use the disappearing lane until the merge point; continuing traffic lets one vehicle in at a time.

EXITA missed exit is not an exception

Continue to the next exit. Never reverse, turn around or drive against the traffic.