Driving Permit for Belgium
Driving in Belgium with a foreign licence? Learn when an IDP is required in Belgium, which convention applies, rental car rules, low-emission zones and the key road laws visitors need.
- Drive on
- Right
- Convention
- 1949 + 1968
- IDP validity
- Up to 185 days
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Belgium?
Belgium drives on the right-hand side of the road, and on paper it is one of Europe's most straightforward countries for foreign drivers. Licences issued in the EU or EEA are fully recognised, and Belgium — a party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic — also accepts international driving permits issued under both the Geneva and Vienna conventions. For short visits, holders of a valid recognised national licence do not legally need an IDP. The permit becomes important when your licence is not in a recognised format — for example, printed in a non-Latin script such as Arabic, Japanese or Cyrillic — in which case an IDP or an official translation must accompany the original licence.
In practice, the rental desks at Brussels Airport, Brussels-Midi and other hubs (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt) accept valid Latin-script licences without fuss, but an IDP is inexpensive insurance for non-EU visitors: it standardises your credentials for both the rental agent and any roadside police check. The minimum driving age in Belgium is 18, though rental firms generally require drivers to be older and apply young-driver surcharges. Whatever you drive, the car must carry a warning triangle and a reflective jacket within reach.
A few local rules catch visitors out. Priority-to-the-right still governs many unmarked junctions, and trams always have right of way. The drink-drive limit is a strict 0.05% BAC. Speed limits vary by region — 50 km/h in built-up areas (30 km/h is the default across the Brussels region), 70 km/h on open roads in Flanders versus 90 km/h in Wallonia, and 120 km/h on motorways. Motorways are toll-free for cars apart from Antwerp's Liefkenshoek tunnel, but Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent enforce camera-monitored low-emission zones that require online vehicle registration before you enter.
Belgium recognises the IDP under both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions.
Belgium is a signatory to both the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Belgium, plan on up to 185 days.
What you need to drive in Belgium
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
Minimum driving age is 18; rental companies typically set higher age floors and add young-driver fees.
Carry your valid original national licence at all times; EU/EEA licences are fully accepted.
An IDP or official translation is required if your licence is not in a recognised format (e.g. non-Latin script); Belgium accepts IDPs issued under the Geneva and Vienna (1968) conventions.
A warning triangle and reflective jacket must be in the vehicle (fire extinguisher and first-aid kit apply to Belgian-registered cars).
Belgium recognises IDPs issued under the Geneva and 1968 Vienna conventions; non-EU licence holders may drive for their first 185 days after registering in Belgium, after which the licence must be exchanged.
The drink-drive limit is 0.05% BAC (0.5 g/l), with an immediate short driving ban possible between 0.05% and 0.08%.
Speed limits: 50 km/h built-up (30 km/h default in the Brussels region), 70 km/h outside built-up areas in Flanders, 90 km/h in Wallonia, 120 km/h on motorways.
Belgian motorways are toll-free for passenger cars except the Liefkenshoek tunnel in Antwerp; no vignette is needed for cars.
Low-emission zones in Brussels, Antwerp (including Linkeroever) and Ghent require online registration of foreign vehicles — there is no physical sticker.
Priority-to-the-right applies at many unmarked junctions and trams always have priority over other road users.
What to know before you turn the key
Belgium drives on the right — the driver sits on the left, and roundabouts flow anti-clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Rental desks in Belgium accept most valid Latin-script licences, but an IDP smooths pickup and police checks for non-EU visitors and is commonly expected with non-Latin licences.
Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent operate low-emission zones: register your vehicle online before entering; there is no windscreen sticker system.
Priority-to-the-right applies at many unmarked junctions, and trams always have priority.
Belgian police issue on-the-spot fines for traffic offences; driving without a valid or recognised licence can bring fines, vehicle immobilisation and invalidated insurance, and entering a low-emission zone without registering triggers automatic camera fines.
Local rules to watch in Belgium
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Brussels: the whole region is a low-emission zone requiring online registration of foreign vehicles, and 30 km/h is the default speed limit on most streets.
Antwerp: LEZ covers the city centre and Linkeroever; the Liefkenshoek tunnel is Belgium's only car toll.
Ghent: city-centre low-emission zone plus an extensive circulation plan — through-traffic is routed onto the ring road.
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Belgium keeps.
Common questions about driving in Belgium
Drive Belgium, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.