Direction, reserved lanes, minimum speed

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Signs D1, D3 and C43: compulsory directions, reserved lanes and minimum speed. What each sign actually requires you to do.

Coverage, Direction, reserved lanes, minimum speed

Lesson objectives

Understand mandatory direction signs (D1, D3, D5) and know when to follow them Identify reserved lanes (cycle paths, bus lanes) and know the obligations by user type Master minimum speed rules on motorways and roads for motor vehicles

Mandatory direction signs

Mandatory signals form the D series: blue disc with white symbol. They impose , whereas indication signals inform. A useful clarification before going into detail: the code does not number arrow variants. Article 69.3 states a single signal D1 , "obligation to follow the direction indicated by the arrow", adding that "the layout of the place determines the position of the arrow ". The codes D1a, D1ba, D1c, D1d, D1e or D1f that you may sometimes see do not exist in the text; it is the same signal, oriented differently.

D1a

D1 with arrow pointing upward, Obligation to follow the direction indicated by the arrow: straight ahead. The layout of the place determines the position of the arrow; the code knows only one D1 signal.

D1ba

D1 with bent arrow pointing left, Obligation to follow the direction indicated by the arrow: left. Going straight or right is not permitted. There is no D1ba code in the highway code: it is the D1, with the arrow oriented according to the layout of the place.

D1e – Obligation to turn left

Blue circular mandatory sign with a white arrow pointing left. It requires drivers to turn left at the next intersection or at the indicated location. Continuing straight or turning right is not permitted. This sign is part of the mandatory sign series, designated D1.

D1f

D1 with bent arrow pointing right, Obligation to turn right. Continuing straight or turning left is prohibited. Again, this is not a "D1f" signal: it is the D1, oriented according to the place.

D1c

D1 with unbent arrow, placed on an obstacle, Article 69.3 specifies this expressly: "If the signal presenting an unbent arrow is placed on an obstacle, it means obligation to pass on the side indicated by the arrow." Arrow pointing left: you go around on the left.

D1d

D1 with unbent arrow pointing right, placed on an obstacle, obligation to pass on the side indicated by the arrow, therefore to the right of the obstacle. To be related to article 9.6, which requires leaving on your left the devices intended to channel traffic, posts, directional islands, unless local regulations provide otherwise.

Situation: D1a sign (mandatory straight ahead)

You approach an intersection and see a D1a sign (arrow pointing straight ahead on blue background). You must continue straight ahead. Turning left or right is prohibited. This obligation applies until the next intersection.

D3a

D3, Obligation to follow one of the directions indicated by the arrows. Blue disc bearing several white arrows; the layout of the place determines their position. You choose freely among the directions shown, but no other is permitted. The code does not know a "D3a": there is only one D3 signal.

D3b

Blue circular mandatory sign with white arrows. You must follow one of the directions indicated: continue straight ahead, or turn right at the next intersection or at the indicated location. Other directions are prohibited.

D5

D5: mandatory roundabout direction, that is, a roundabout. The arrows require you to turn in the direction indicated by the sign, which is counter-clockwise in Belgium. At the entrance to a roundabout, you must generally give way to vehicles already engaged. The B1 sign is often placed as a supplement to remind you.

Additional exemption sign

An additional sign placed under a mandatory signal may exempt certain users. Pay attention to the color: article 65.2 reserves the blue background for ordinary additional signs, but requires black inscriptions and symbols on white background, models M1 to M24, for those concerning bicycles, personal mobility devices and two-wheeled mopeds.

Critical distinction: obligation vs indication

Mandatory sign (D1, D3, D5) : blue circle with white arrow → you MUST follow this direction. Indication sign (F19) : blue rectangle with white arrow → you are informed of the one-way direction, but you can choose your direction at an intersection. This confusion is very common in the exam. Observe the shape and color carefully!

Intersection with mandatory direction sign

Reserved lanes and obligations by user type

Certain lanes are reserved for specific categories of users. These lanes are marked by mandatory signs (D7, D9, D10, D11) and road markings. Other users cannot drive on them, stop on them or park on them.

D7

The D7 sign indicates a mandatory cycle path. Cyclists and class A moped riders must use this path and not the roadway. Other vehicles do not have access to it. Class B moped riders may only ride on it outside built-up areas, and they are even required to do so outside built-up areas, unless there is a contrary additional sign.

D9 - Lane reserved for pedestrians and bicycles

D9, Part of the public road reserved for the circulation of pedestrians, bicycles and class A two-wheeled mopeds . Unlike D10, class A mopeds are therefore permitted. Article 9.1.2 specifies that cyclists and class A mopedists are required to follow the cycle path signalled by a D7 or D9 provided it is signalled in the direction they are travelling.

D10

D10, Part of the public road reserved for the circulation of pedestrians and cyclists. It is a shared route exclusively between pedestrians and cyclists, without mopeds. The cyclist must adapt their speed and give priority to pedestrians. No motorized vehicle is permitted.

D11

D11, Mandatory path for pedestrians. This route is reserved for pedestrians and they must use it. You must not walk on the roadway beside it. No vehicle, not even bicycles, is permitted.

Cycle path (D7)

Route reserved for cyclists and class A mopedists. Cars cannot circulate, stop or park there. Cyclists MUST use it and cannot circulate on the ordinary roadway beside it.

Bus lane / Bus strip (F17)

Traffic lane exclusively reserved for buses, signalled by a broken white line. Cars cannot circulate, stop or park there, except in the immediate vicinity of a junction to change direction or to avoid an obstacle.

Situation: you are approaching a cycle path

You see a D7 sign (blue circle with white bicycle). This path is reserved for cyclists and class A mopedists. You cannot circulate there with your car. If you need to turn right, you must first check that no cyclist is coming from the path.

Cycle path and bus lane in urban area

Minimum speed on motorway (prohibition signals)

Article 21.2 : « Except for a lower limit imposed by signal C43, no driver may circulate on a motorway at a speed lower than 70 km per hour . However, they must adjust their speed in accordance with the provisions of article 10.1. » Two points: the minimum applies to the entire roadway , not just one lane; and it gives way to article 10.1, in fog or in a queue, you slow down, the 70 km/h rule does not prohibit it.

Minimum motorway speed

70 km/h minimum on motorway, if conditions permit. Vehicles incapable of reaching this speed on level ground (mopeds, tractors, certain vehicle combinations) cannot use the motorway.

On a road for motor vehicles (outside motorway), there is no minimum speed imposed by the highway code. However, driving too slowly without reason and hindering other drivers may constitute an offence.

At the exam: distinguish motorway from road for motor vehicles

Watch the codes: the motorway begins at signal F5 and ends at F7 ; the road for motor vehicles begins at F9 and ends at F11 . F1 , on the other hand, marks the beginning of a built-up area , it is a completely different signal. Motorway (F5) : minimum 70 km/h (art. 21.2), maximum 120 km/h . Road for motor vehicles (F9) : no minimum speed , article 22.2 only makes articles 21.4 and 21.6 applicable, not 21.2.

Prohibition signal

Belgian motorway with speed limit

Summary: minimum and maximum speeds

Road Minimum speed Maximum speed outside built-up area Motorway (F5 → F7) 70 km/h (art. 21.2) 120 km/h ; 90 km/h above 3.5 t and for buses Road for motor vehicles (F9 → F11) None 120 km/h only if four lanes or more with separated directions otherwise than by markings ; otherwise 90 km/h in Wallonia, 70 km/h in Flanders and Brussels Ordinary road None 90 km/h in Wallonia, 70 km/h in Flanders and Brussels And in all cases, article 10.2 prohibits hindering the normal flow of other traffic by circulating without valid reason at an abnormally reduced speed .

Additional signs and exceptions

Additional signs (Type IV) specify who an obligation applies to and who is exempt from it. They are placed under the main sign and modify its application.

Type IV a

Additional sign (art. 65.2): rectangle placed under the signal, which supplements, clarifies or limits its meaning. White inscription or symbol on blue background as a rule, but black on white background (models M1 to M24) when it concerns bicycles, personal mobility devices or two-wheeled mopeds. The reference to a « type IV » and to article 70.2.1.3° was incorrect: this article deals with E9 signals authorizing parking.

Type IV b Residents

Common examples of inscriptions on additional sign: « except local traffic » or « except local delivery », of which article 2.47 gives the closed list of beneficiaries; « except 2+ » or « 3+ » under a C5, which reserves the lane for vehicles occupied by at least two or three persons; a mass under a C23, which limits the prohibition to vehicles whose MMA exceeds it.

Type IV school street

An additional sign may also bear a period, « from 7 to 19 h », « Monday to Friday », or a distance, or the length of a section. Under a danger signal, it indicates the distance when it differs from 150 metres, or the length of the dangerous section (art. 66.2 and 66.3).

Additional panel: cyclists exempted

A D1 panel (mandatory straight ahead) is supplemented by an additional sign indicating « cyclists exempted ». Cars must continue straight ahead, but cyclists can turn left or right.

Key points to remember

Series D : blue disc with white symbol, it imposes . D1 : obligation to follow the direction indicated by the arrow; the layout of the location determines the position of the arrow . Placed on an obstacle with a non-bent arrow, it imposes passing on the indicated side. There is no D1a, D1ba, D1c, D1d, D1e or D1f in the code. D3 : obligation to follow one of the indicated directions. D5 : mandatory roundabout direction, one of the three elements that define a roundabout (art. 2.39). D7 mandatory cycle path; D9 pedestrians, bicycles and class A mopeds ; D10 pedestrians and cyclists; D11 mandatory path for pedestrians; D13 for riders. Motorway (F5) : minimum 70 km/h , maximum 120. Road for motor vehicles (F9) : no minimum . F1 marks a built-up area, not a motorway.

What now?

First do the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and MCQs . Next lesson: Cycle paths and bus lanes .

BelgianLicenses

Theory without practice is forgotten: move on to the MCQs to durably anchor your learning.