Transportation & Driving in Belgium

Drivers Licences

People who hold a Belgian diplomatic/consular IS card can drive on Belgian roads with a valid Canadian license. For IMS and Technical Support Staff, however, not all Canadian licenses are recognized: only Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and New Brunswick licenses are recognized. Members holding licenses from any other provinces/territories must have an International Driver’s Permit for both inside and outside Belgium, unless they are in possession of a diplomatic/consular ID card. Otherwise, an International Driver’s Permit is not mandatory for Belgium. It is up to the member to choose whether to register for one. Keep in mind that International Driver’s Permits are not reimbursed and are only valid for 12 moths at a time.

Driving in Belgium

Many of the basic rules of the road in Belgium are very similar to those across the rest of Europe. Road signs are either in Dutch or French.

The Public Highway Code describes the rights and obligations of road users on the public highway. All road users are expected to know and apply this highway code. A road user is any person who uses the public highway as a driver or pedestrian. The driver of a rail vehicle must comply with the specific regulations of his transport company, it always has priority. A public highway is any road made available to road users. This also applies for private roads when these are used with the permission of the owner. When driving you MUST give way to trams and passengers getting on and off. Clear tramlines as soon as possible; be careful, especially when driving in Brussels, where there are many trams.

• When in doubt yield to drivers coming from the right.
• The legal minimum age for driving is 18 years.
• Drive on the right in Belgium, overtake on the left.
• Mobile cellular telephones may only be used with a "hands free" system. It's compulsory to wear a seat belt including in the back seats if belts are fitted. It is the driver's responsibility to ensure all passengers wear their belts (and the driver will be fined if passen­gers are not belted in).
• Headlights must be used in tunnels, even during the day.

Moving a Vehicle

Rules and regulations on importing a vehicle will vary based on the specifics of your vehicle as well as your status in the country; therefore, it is recommended that you contact your sponsor to be put in touch with the Protocol Officer for the latest information.\

Public Transportation

• https://www.brussels.be/public-transport
• https://www.belgianrail.be/en
• https://www.belgiantrain.be/en
• Transport and movement in Brussels
• Pass, Travel card