Driving in Belgium

Driving through Belgium on the way to the rest of Europe, or staying a while? Here's what a UK car needs, including the low-emission zone registration for Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp.

Checked on 17 October 2026 against GOV.UK and the RAC and AA guides. Rules change, so check the official sources at the bottom before you travel.

What you must have

  • UK sticker on the rear if your number plate doesn't show the UK identifier
  • Reflective (hi-vis) jacket, within the driver's reach; worn if you get out after a breakdown or crash on a motorway or where stopping is banned (fine from €58)
  • Warning triangle (30 m behind on normal roads, 100 m on motorways)
  • Headlamp beam deflectors or adjusted headlamps
  • Low-emission zone registration before driving into Brussels, Ghent or Antwerp

Worth packing

  • First aid kit and fire extinguisher: compulsory for Belgian cars only, not for UK-registered cars (AA, RAC)
  • A hi-vis jacket for every passenger (AA)

Documents

  • Your full UK driving licence (photocard). If you still have a paper licence, GOV.UK says you may need to update it to a photocard or get an international driving permit.
  • Your V5C logbook. If the car is hired or leased in the UK, you need a VE103 certificate instead.
  • Your motor insurance certificate. Check with your insurer that you're covered abroad.
  • Your passport.
  • UK sticker: you need one unless your number plate shows the UK identifier with the Union flag. An old GB sticker must be covered or removed (GOV.UK).

Clean-air zones and stickers

Brussels (all 19 municipalities, 24/7), Ghent and Antwerp have low-emission zones. UK cars must be registered online before entering, even if they meet the standard, and cameras enforce it. Registering for Ghent also covers Antwerp, and the other way round. Brussels is separate and sells day passes (€35, up to 24 a year) for cars that don't meet the rules (AA, GOV.UK).

Official sites:

Tolls and vignettes

Motorways are toll-free for cars. Main exception: the Liefkenshoek tunnel in Antwerp, €8 cash / €6.20 card for cars under 3 m high in 2026 (AA).

Winter rules

Winter tyres aren't compulsory. Snow chains only on snow- or ice-covered roads; studded tyres banned except in exceptional cases (AA).

Speed limits (cars)

Road Limit
Motorways and dual carriageways 120 km/h (minimum 70 km/h)
Outside built-up areas 90 km/h (70 km/h in Flanders)
Built-up areas 50 km/h (30 km/h in Brussels)
School zones and cycle streets 30 km/h
Residential areas 20 km/h

Signs always take priority over these general limits.

Drink-driving limit

The limit is 0.5 g/l of blood (0.05%), or 0.22 mg/l of breath. Between 0.05% and 0.08% you can get an immediate 3-hour driving ban and an on-the-spot fine (AA). The limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 0.8 g/l.

Fines to know about

  • Not wearing a hi-vis jacket when you get out on a motorway: from €58 (AA)
  • LEZ without registration or day pass: camera fine (AA)

Shop the kit

We don't currently stock UK stickers, headlamp beam deflectors, spare bulb kits or breathalysers. Ferry ports, Eurotunnel and most motoring shops sell them, so pick them up before you cross.

See the full Driving abroad range. Clean-air stickers, vignettes and toll passes come only from the official sites linked above. We don't sell them.

FAQs

Is a first aid kit compulsory in Belgium for UK cars?

No. A first aid kit and fire extinguisher are compulsory for Belgian-registered cars only. Both are still worth carrying.

Do I need to register for Belgian low-emission zones?

Yes, before you drive into Brussels, Ghent or Antwerp, even if your car meets the standard. Registration is done online on each city's official site. Ghent and Antwerp share one registration.

Is there a toll in Belgium?

Motorways are free for cars. The main exception is the Liefkenshoek tunnel in Antwerp.

Do I need winter tyres in Belgium?

No, they aren't compulsory. Chains can only be used on snow- or ice-covered roads.

What's the speed limit in Brussels?

Generally 30 km/h in built-up areas, unless signs say otherwise.

Sources

Checked 17 October 2026:

This page is a general guide for UK-registered cars, not legal advice. Always check the official sources before you travel.