🇧🇪 Drive Belgium with Confidence
Navigate Belgian roads with confidence. Know the toll tunnels and priority rules.
Do You Need an IDP in Belgium?
Recommended — Rental Companies Often Require It
Non-EU drivers should carry an IDP when driving in Belgium. While not strictly required by law for short visits, rental agencies including Hertz and Avis typically demand one before releasing a vehicle to non-EU customers.
Key Warning
Belgium has a unique priority-from-the-right rule. At intersections without signs, vehicles approaching from the right have priority. This catches many foreign drivers off guard, especially in Brussels and residential areas.
Driving Rules in Belgium
Drive on the Right
Belgium drives on the right. The priority-from-the-right rule applies at unmarked intersections. Always check for vehicles entering from side streets.
Toll Tunnels
The Liefkenshoek Tunnel near Antwerp charges tolls electronically. The Brussels Ring (R0) is toll-free but extremely congested during rush hours.
Alcohol Limit
The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. Penalties include on-the-spot fines of €179 and license confiscation for levels above 0.08%.
Speed Limits
Urban: 30–50 km/h. Rural: 70–90 km/h. Motorway: 120 km/h. Belgium uses average speed cameras on many motorway sections.
Renting a Car in Belgium
What you need to know before picking up your rental vehicle.
Required Documents
IDP (non-EU), valid license, passport, credit card. Minimum age typically 21. Under-25 surcharge of €10–20/day at most agencies.
Typical Costs
Compact from €30–50/day. CDW insurance adds €12–20/day. Fuel around €1.70/liter for gasoline. Diesel slightly cheaper.
Top Rental Companies
Hertz — Brussels Airport coverage. Avis — Multiple city locations. Europcar — Good fleet selection across Belgium.
“We almost missed our Bruges road trip because Avis in Brussels asked for an IDP. Thankfully we had our RoadSeal digital copy ready on our phones. The agent accepted it without question.”
Get Your IDP for Belgium — From $29
Delivered digitally in as little as 2 hours. Physical copy shipped worldwide. Valid for 1 year.
Apply Now →Belgium IDP FAQ
EU license holders do not need one. Non-EU visitors are strongly recommended to carry an IDP. Most rental companies require it at the counter before releasing vehicles.
At intersections without traffic signs or signals, vehicles coming from the right have absolute priority. This applies in residential areas and smaller roads throughout Belgium.
Belgian motorways are generally toll-free. The main exception is the Liefkenshoek Tunnel near Antwerp, which charges an electronic toll of approximately 6 EUR per car.