Guide for driving in Europe - Belgium some of this information supplied from companies we work with - jmlvillas.com, insurance4carhire.com, Holiday Autos, Essential Travel and Economy Car Hire and other acknowledged sources. It is presented on this site without responsibilty of jml Property Services / insurance4carrental.com and should not be relied on for accuracy.

Driving in Belgium

Key rules, regulations and things to know

Driving: Drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Speed limits: Motorway and dual carriageways 120 km/h Open Road, 90 km/h In towns /built up areas 50 km/h (30 near schools, hospitals, churches etc). Radar traps are frequent. In Belgium on the spot fines can be imposed by the Police, but if you receive one, make sure you have an official receipt.See Speed cameras below

Speed cameras are small and tall very similar to those in the Netherlands (above) the UK and Ireland. They will be located on motorways and at traffic light intersections on dual carriage ways and other roads. There are not always warning signs so take care.

Tolls: There are no tolls on the Belgian motorway network, however some tunnels that have motorway either side have tolls.

Drink and Driving: Belgium has strict drink driving laws the limit is 0.05. More information Here

If you are involved in an accident in Belgium and the police are called, you will probably have to take a breathalyzer test

Names of towns on signs: Because the country is dual language, unlike countries such as Ireland and Wales where everywhere the names of cities towns and villages are in two languages, In Belgium if you are in the Flemish speaking area the signs will be in Dutch and if you are in the French speaking area they will be in French. This can be confusing for cities like Mons that becomes Bergen when you are in the Flemish speaking part.

Other names are: Antwerp — Antwerpen — Anvers, Ghent — Gent — Gand, Liège — Lîdje — Luik, Leuven — Louvain — Löwen

Seat belts front and rear are obligatory for all passengers.

Parking: A 'blue zone' parking system operates in major towns. Discs are available from police, garages and tobacconists.

Disabled Parking: The Blue Badge is recognised in all European countries - More information Here

Warning / Emergency Equipment: It is compulsory to carry a warning triangle.Reflective vests are also complusory. A Fire extinguisher is mandatory in the vehicle (and has been for many years) however First-aid kit is advised, but not compulsory.

Mobile Phones: It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone whilst driving.Don't risk using one as you can receive a heavy fine in most countries and more important cause a serious accident.

Lights: Driving on side lights only is illegal at night.

Do not park within 50 feet (15m) of a bus, tram or trolleybus stop or in the immediate vicinity of train and tram lines crossing the road.

Roundabouts: Traffic entering roundabouts has priority except where signs say 'cedez le passage' or 'vous n'avez pas la priorité', where the traffic on the roundabout has priority. The majority of Belgian roundabouts are changing to this system as in most European countries so this means that any vehicles actually on the roundabout have priority.

Travel tips:One of the best kept secrets in Europe, Belgium has a wide raft of attractions including quaint towns, medieval cities, gothic cathedrals, castles, idyllic farmlands and cool coastal resorts. Famous for its chocolates, Belgium also offers gourmet food and has over 400 beers to choose from.

Both Dutch and French are spoken in this multicultural country and there is a small German-speaking minority in the eastern part of the country. Dutch is spoken by the Flemish in the Flanders region, known for its flat and coastal landscapes. French is spoken in Wallonia, the region of farms and forests. Information source holiday autos

Royal Automobile Club of Belgium - to enter the site click on the Image above

Touring (Wegenhulp) België

Touring Wegenhulp, the Belgian roadside assistance organisation helping a tourist in 1968

Travel to Belgium Just a hop skip and a jump across the channel and you're in beautiful Belgium. All too often overlooked, Belgium is a fantastic alternative to Italy as a historical holiday, or to France for a culinary adventure. Belgium has the character and charm to make it stand out on its own and is perfect for a weekend break from the UK. Alas, its only pitfall is a climate that closely resembles that of the UK, so you won't return home with a golden tan. Here are some key facts to get you started on your experience Belgique.

Capital: Brussels Currency: Euro Population: 10.5 Million Official Language: Dutch (majority), French, German and Flemish (local blend of Dutch) Distance from London to Brussels: 199 miles.

Belgian Cuisine You could realistically go to Belgium and live on chocolate, waffles and beer for your entire stay - and leave a happy traveller, but neither your doctor nor your dentist would be very pleased with you and you'd miss out on the diverse culinary experience that the Belgians offer:

Breakfast is commonly continental, usually consisting of bread served with jams and pâtes. Lunch is the main meal, while supper is generally a lighter affair. The potato is Belgium's unofficial national vegetable. Stoemp (mashed potato mixed with veggies and bacon bits) and Friet (chips or French fries) are two favourite side orders made with potatoes. The use of cream, mustard and rich sauces in cooking is common. The food is quite weighty (especially desserts), but worth it. In a country that has such a humble stretch of coastline, seafood is surprisingly a specialty. Mussels, prawns and fish are widely eaten. Otherwise meat (pork and chicken) is the main order of the day.

Places you must see in Belgium Between UNESCO World Heritage sites, quiet countrysides, cosmopolitan city centers and lively nightlife, you may want to set aside any thoughts of 'doing Belgium in a day'. Belgium's size certainly belies its long list of tourist attractions, so we recommend taking your time and starting with the following: Gravesteen Castle, Ghent / Gand- Ruins Of The Abbey In Villers-la-Ville - The Grand'Place (Grote Markt - Market Square) Brussels - The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Tournai - Bruges / Brugge

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FACT FILE Belgium — Belgique- België

Belgium is a varied and charming country to visit with the swift rivers and rocky gorges of the Ardennes, contrasting with the rolling plains of the rest of the country. It is a kingdom no bigger than Maryland USA, is Europe in a nutshell, multicultural and multilingual. Flanders in the north, a flatland criss-crossed by canals, is proud of its great art cities, Antwerp, Bruges a city on canals and Ghent.

The country is bordered by France,to the west, The Netherlands to the north east, Luxembourg to the south and to the east, Germany. To the south in Wallonia, you will find the rolling hills of the Ardennes, numerous castles, and the cities of Liege, Namur, and Tournai.

Its capital city of Brussels — Bruxelles- Brussel is one of the world's great cosmopolitan cities, home to both the European Union (EU) and NATO, as well as a wealth of international trade and finance companies. The famous old square in the centre is the Grande Place / Grote Markt.

The coastline accommodates the car ferry ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge. Ostend — Oostende — Ostende is also a lively resort.

Other cities are

Bruges — Brugge , famous for its canals and also its Grand-Place.

Tournai with its cathedral.

Antwerp — Antwerpen — Anvers is a major port.

Charleroi located in the Belgian province of Hainaut.

Ghent — Gent — Gand is located in Flanders.

Liège — Lîdje — Luik is located in the province of Liège and it is the capital of the province. It is situated in the valley of the Meuse River near Belgium's eastern borders with the Netherlands and Germany,

Mons — Bergen Very confusing for foreign visitors trying to follow the motorway when you move from one part of the country that speaks French where the sign is "Mons" to the Flemish part where it becomes "Bergen". Most of the other Belgian towns and cities have similar names in different languages, so take care in case you become lost. The city is located in the province of Hainaut and is the capital of the province.

Leuven — Louvain — Löwen is the capital of the province of Brabant. is the capital of the Wallonia region in the south of the country.

The country is famous worldwide for its beers and the cuisine is also excellent.

The Country is a founder member of the EU — European Union (formerly the EEC — European Economic Union)

Currency: — Euro (€) Currency Conversion Here

Population 2006: 10,364,388

Land Area: 30,528 Km2

Telephone Country Code: +32

Tips and Topics in Belgium - CLICK HERE

Source jmlvillas.com - (some of this information has been provided by jmlvillas.com clients)

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