No entry, no entry in this direction, categories

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Signs C1, C3 and variants: telling no entry from no entry in this direction, and spotting which vehicle categories are affected.

Coverage, No entry, no entry in this direction, categories

Lesson objectives

Distinguish no entry in this direction (C1) from no entry in both directions (C3) and understand their fundamental differences Identify vehicle categories prohibited from access (C5, C7, C9, C11, C13, C15, C17, C19, C21, C22, C23, C24a/b/c) and know who can or cannot drive Recognize exceptions and additional signs (local traffic, cyclists, mopeds) that modify the prohibition

No entry in this direction vs. no entry: two signs, two rules

In Belgium, two fundamental red circular signs govern access to roads. Although they look similar, they have radically different meanings . This is a critical distinction for the exam.

C1

No entry in this direction for any driver. It is a red disc with a horizontal white bar. You cannot under any circumstances enter this road, as traffic is prohibited in your direction. You must find another route. Entering against traffic is a serious offense that exposes you to the risk of head-on collision.

The C1 sign (no entry in this direction) prohibits access in one direction only . Drivers coming from the other direction can drive normally, they see a one-way sign. It is a one-way street where you can only enter from one side.

C3

The C3 sign means no entry in both directions for any driver. It is a white disc bordered in red. No vehicle, car, motorcycle, truck or bicycle, can use this road, neither in one direction nor the other. It is often found at the entrance to pedestrian zones or roads closed to traffic. If you encounter this sign, you must turn around and take an alternative route.

The C3 sign (no entry in both directions) prohibits access to all drivers, in both directions . No one can enter or exit, it is a road completely closed to traffic.

Frequent exam trap: Do not confuse C1 (no entry in this direction = one direction) with C3 (no entry = two directions). A question may show you a street with C1 and ask "can you enter it?", the answer depends on your direction of approach.

Intersection with no entry in this direction sign C1

Exceptions to C3: local traffic

The C3 sign may be supplemented by an additional sign bearing the mention "Except local traffic" or "Except local access" . These two mentions are synonymous and their scope is not left to interpretation: article 2.47 of the code defines word for word who benefits from it.

Who can enter with the "local traffic" exception?

vehicles of residents ; vehicles of persons going to or coming from one of their homes ; delivery vehicles ; vehicles of regular public transport services ; vehicles of maintenance and surveillance services , when the nature of their mission justifies it ; priority vehicles referred to in article 37 ; cyclists and riders .

The exam trap: "local traffic" does not mean "traffic allowed if you have a good reason". Taking a shortcut, looking for a parking space or crossing the neighborhood does not put you in the list of article 2.47. If you are not in any of the categories above, C3 prohibits you from entering, just as if there were no additional sign.

No entry for certain vehicle categories

Beyond C1 and C3, the C series offers prohibition signs targeting specific categories of vehicles or users. Each sign bears a symbol in the center indicating who is prohibited.

Symbol in the center of the sign

No C signal depends on a "symbol in the center" to determine the directions involved. Only C1 and C3 relate to the direction of traffic: C1 prohibits the direction in which you are approaching, C3 prohibits access in both directions. All other C signals prohibit a category of users or a vehicle characteristic, and apply to drivers traveling in the direction the signal is placed.

C5

C5, No entry for drivers of motor vehicles with more than two wheels and motorcycles with sidecar. Cars, vans, trucks, buses, coaches, tractors and motorcycles with sidecar cannot pass; solo motorcycles, mopeds, cycles and pedestrians are not affected. When the sign bears the mention "Except 2+" or "3+", the roadway or lane is only accessible to vehicles occupied by at least two or three persons and regular public transport services; others may only enter to use access and exit lanes, change direction or access neighboring properties. Not to be confused with C6, which targets motor quadricycles for non-practicable terrain, with open bodywork, motorcycle handlebars and saddle.

C7

No entry for motorcycles. Motorcycles, with or without sidecar, cannot use this road. Cars, bicycles, mopeds and other users are not affected. If you are a motorcyclist, you must go around the area.

C9

Sign C9 means access prohibited for mopeds. This concerns class A and B mopeds, that is scooters and mopeds up to forty-five kilometres per hour. Bicycles, motorcycles and other vehicles are not affected by this prohibition. If you ride a moped, you must find an alternative route.

C11

Sign C11 means access prohibited for cycle drivers. Bicycles and electric bicycles up to twenty-five kilometres per hour cannot circulate on this street. You must find an alternative route, ideally a parallel cycle path.

C13

Sign C13 means access prohibited for towed vehicles. This concerns hitches towed by an animal, such as horse-drawn carts or carriages, which cannot pass at this location. This sign applies mainly in areas where these hitches remain in use, particularly in rural and tourist areas.

C15

Sign C15 means access prohibited for riders. People on horseback cannot use this road. It is generally found in urban areas or on roads with heavy traffic, to ensure the safety of riders and other road users.

C17

C17, Access prohibited for hand cart drivers. Vehicles pushed or pulled by hand cannot use this road. This sign mainly concerns streets with heavy traffic where such vehicles would be dangerous.

C19

C nineteen. Access prohibited for pedestrians. People on foot cannot circulate here. This sign is often placed near motorways, motor roads, large bridges or tunnels where walking would be dangerous. If you are on foot, use the pavement, pedestrian path or marked diversion.

Prohibitions based on vehicle characteristics

C21

C21, Access prohibited for vehicles whose laden mass exceeds the indicated value. The figure, for example three point five tonnes or seven point five tonnes, is the total actual weight of the vehicle, including load. This sign serves to protect fragile bridges, narrow streets or residential areas from heavy traffic.

C22

C22, Access prohibited for coaches. Coaches cannot use this road. Public transport buses and other vehicles are not affected, unless otherwise indicated. If you drive a coach, find the bus route.

C23

C23, Access prohibited for drivers of motor vehicles or motor vehicle combinations designed and constructed for the carriage of goods. An inscription on an additional sign limits the prohibition to vehicles whose maximum authorised mass exceeds the indicated mass. Pay attention to the difference with C21: C21 targets laden mass, that is the actual weight of the vehicle at the time it presents itself, whereas the additional sign for C23 targets maximum authorised mass, which is entered in the registration certificate and does not change according to the load.

C24a

Sign C24a. Access prohibited for transport of dangerous goods. Vehicles carrying dangerous materials, such as fuel, chemicals or explosives, cannot pass here. You recognise them by their orange ADR plates. This sign applies to all classes of dangerous goods.

C24b

Sign C24b. Access prohibited for transport of flammable or explosive dangerous goods. This particularly concerns fuel tankers and transport of products liable to catch fire or explode. This sign is often placed at the entrance to long tunnels.

C24c

Sign C24c means access prohibited for transport of dangerous goods for waters. It is generally found near drinking water catchment areas or to protect groundwater. It concerns trucks carrying products liable to pollute waters.

C25

Sign C25 indicates the maximum length of the vehicle. Vehicles or vehicle combinations whose length, including load, exceeds the indicated value, for example ten metres, cannot pass. This sign mainly concerns trucks, buses and vehicles with trailers.

C27

C27, Maximum width of the vehicle. Your vehicle, including load, must not exceed the indicated width. For example, two point thirty metres. Check your mirrors and load, materials, overhanging pallets, before proceeding.

C29

Sign C29 indicates the maximum authorised height for your vehicle. Including load, you must not exceed the displayed height, for example three metres eighty. This sign is crucial before a bridge, tunnel or covered passage. Failure to comply with this instruction can result in a serious accident and damage to the infrastructure.

Street with sign access prohibited C3 and exception cyclists

Additional signs: exceptions and modifications

A prohibition signal may be supplemented, clarified or limited by an additional sign ( article 65.2 ). The colour rule is an examination point: ordinary additional signs bear an inscription or symbol in white on blue background , but those concerning bicycles, mobility devices and two-wheeled mopeds bear inscriptions and symbols in black on white background , these are models M1 to M24.

Example: C1 with exception cyclists

When the C1 prohibition does not apply to cyclists, the signal must be supplemented by an additional sign of model M2 (article 68.4). Model M3 adds class A two-wheeled mopeds, M11 adds speed pedelecs and M12 adds class A mopeds and speed pedelecs. The same rule applies to signals C3 and C31.

At the examination

Always read the supplementary sign placed below a prohibition signal : it may restrict the prohibition to a category of vehicles, limit it to a mass, or exempt cyclists. The same C1 signal means two different things depending on whether or not it carries an M2.

Summary table: C1 vs C3 vs categories

Signal Exact meaning (art. 68.3) Scope Supplementary sign C1 No entry for any driver The direction in which you are approaching M2 mandatory if cyclists are not targeted; M3, M11, M12 for other exceptions C3 No entry, in both directions, for any driver Both directions "Except local traffic" (art. 2.47); M2 if cyclists are not targeted C5 Motor vehicles with more than two wheels and motorcycles with sidecar The direction where the sign is placed "Except 2+" or "3+": carpool lane C6 Motor quadricycles for impassable terrain, open bodywork, handlebars and saddle The direction where the sign is placed , C7 / C9 / C11 Motorcycles / mopeds / bicycles The direction where the sign is placed , C13 / C15 / C17 / C19 Towed vehicles / riders / hand-drawn carts / pedestrians The direction where the sign is placed , C21 Mass when loaded exceeding that indicated The direction where the sign is placed , C22 Coaches The direction where the sign is placed , C23 Vehicles designed and built for the transport of goods The direction where the sign is placed A mass indicated limits the prohibition to vehicles whose MMA exceeds it C24a / b / c Dangerous goods / flammable or explosive / pollutants to water The direction where the sign is placed Letter B, C, D or E: tunnel category (ADR) C25 / C27 / C29 Length / width / height exceeding that indicated, load included The direction where the sign is placed ,

Key points to remember for the exam

C1 = no entry : only the direction in which you are approaching is prohibited; the other direction circulates normally. C3 = no entry in both directions , for any driver. Local traffic : article 2.47 provides a closed list, residents, persons going to or coming from one of their homes, deliveries, regular public transport, maintenance and surveillance services on duty, priority vehicles, cyclists and riders. Supplementary signs : white on blue background as a general rule, but black on white background (models M1 to M24) when they concern bicycles, personal mobility devices and two-wheeled mopeds. M2 under a C1 or C3 : the signal does not target cyclists. This is a placement obligation, not merely optional (art. 68.4). User categories : C5, C6, C7, C9, C11, C13, C15, C17, C19. Vehicle characteristics : C21 (mass when loaded), C22, C23 (MMA on supplementary sign), C24a/b/c, C25, C27, C29 (length, width, height load included). No C signal changes scope according to a "symbol in the centre" : it is C1 versus C3 that determines the directions targeted.

What's next?

First take the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practise on the exam simulator and MCQs . Next lesson: Overtaking and U-turns prohibited .

BelgianLicenses

Passing the exam is about consistency, a little each day, and the code will hold no more secrets.