50 / 70 / 90 / 120 km/h depending on the lane

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Belgian speed limits from 50 to 120 km/h according to the type of lane, covering built-up areas, regional roads and motorways.

Coverage, 50 / 70 / 90 / 120 km/h depending on the lane

Lesson objectives

Master legal speed limits according to road type (50, 70, 90, 120 km/h) Identify speed limit signs and understand their application by region Adapt your speed to road characteristics and traffic conditions

The five main speed limits

In Belgium, five maximum speeds structure road traffic: 50 km/h , 70 km/h , 90 km/h , 120 km/h , and special limits (30 km/h, 20 km/h, at walking pace). Each corresponds to a specific type of road. A C43 sign (speed limit signal) always takes precedence over the general rule.

50 km/h: the limit in built-up areas

As soon as you enter a built-up area (indicated by the F1 sign "Start of built-up area"), the maximum speed is 50 km/h in the Flemish Region and the Walloon Region. In the Brussels-Capital Region , the default speed has been 30 km/h since 2021 (except on structural axes marked at 50 or 70 km/h). A C43 sign can always impose a different limit.

F1

C43 (50 km/h)

Speed limited to 50 kilometres per hour. You must not drive at a speed exceeding 50 kilometres per hour until the next contrary signal.

City entrance

You are driving at 90 km/h outside a built-up area. You see the F1 sign with the city name. You must immediately reduce to a maximum of 50 km/h , even if the road seems wide and clear.

70 km/h: ordinary roads in Brussels and Flanders

Outside built-up areas, on ordinary roads (excluding motorways, without physical separation between directions), the limit varies by region: Brussels-Capital Region : 70 km/h. The Brussels 30 km/h applies only within built-up areas . Flemish Region : 70 km/h by default, unless a C43 sign "90" indicates 90 km/h. Walloon Region : 90 km/h (see next section), except central lane carriageway limited to 70 km/h. These roads may have intersections, traffic lights and crossings.

C43 (70 km/h)

Speed limited to 70 kilometers per hour. You must not drive at a speed greater than 70 kilometers per hour until the next contrary signal.

Ordinary road in Flanders without sign

You are driving outside a built-up area on a road with a single lane per direction, without a central reservation. In Flanders, without a C43 "90" sign, the limit is 70 km/h . If a C43 "90" sign is present, you can go to 90 km/h.

90 km/h: ordinary roads in Wallonia

In the Walloon Region, outside built-up areas, ordinary roads (without physical separation) are limited to 90 km/h by default. Exception: central lane carriageways are limited to 70 km/h .

C43 (90 km/h)

Speed limited to 90 kilometres per hour. You must not drive at a speed exceeding 90 kilometres per hour until the next contrary signal.

Ordinary Walloon road

You leave a Walloon built-up area and drive on a two-lane road (one per direction), without a central reservation. The limit is 90 km/h unless a C43 sign imposes less.

120 km/h: motorways and roads with separated carriageways

The 120 km/h limit applies in two cases: Motorways (indicated by the motorway start sign) Motor roads with at least two lanes per direction AND a physical separation (central reservation, verge, barrier) between directions of traffic This limit applies in all three Belgian regions.

C43 (120 km/h)

Speed limited to 120 kilometers per hour. The prohibition of driving at a speed greater than 120 kilometers per hour applies until the next contrary signal.

Four-lane road with central reservation

You are driving outside a built-up area on a road with two lanes in your direction and a central reservation separating the two directions. This road is treated as a motorway: the limit is 120 km/h .

Four-lane road with central separation

Summary table: speed limits by road type

Road type Flemish Region Walloon Region Brussels-Capital In built-up area 50 km/h 50 km/h 30 km/h (default) Ordinary road outside built-up area 70 km/h (90 km/h with C43) 90 km/h 70 km/h Ordinary road with central lane , 70 km/h , Road ≥2 lanes/direction + physical separation 120 km/h 120 km/h 120 km/h Motorway 120 km/h 120 km/h 120 km/h

Speed limit signs: C43 and C45

The C43 sign imposes a specific speed limit (30, 50, 70, 90 or 120 km/h). It always takes precedence over the general rule. The C45 sign marks the end of this limit: you return to the legal limit for the road type.

C45

The C45 sign indicates the end of the speed limit imposed by the C43 signal. You can again drive at the maximum speed allowed for this road type: in built-up area: 50 km/h in Flanders and Wallonia, 30 km/h in Brussels-Capital Region; outside built-up area, ordinary road: 70 km/h in Brussels and Flanders, 90 km/h in Wallonia; motorway: 120 km/h.

In the exam and while driving

Always observe C43 signs as a priority: they change the legal limit. Never rely solely on the appearance of the road. A wide road may be limited to 50 km/h; a narrow road may allow 90 km/h. The sign decides, not your impression.

C43 sign on ordinary road

Built-up area

Built-up locality delimited by signs F1 (start) and F3 (end). Default speed limit: 50 km/h in Flanders and Wallonia; 30 km/h in Brussels-Capital Region (except routes marked at 50 or 70 km/h).

Ordinary road

Road outside built-up area without motorway characteristics. May have intersections and traffic lights. Speed limit varies by region and presence of physical separation.

Physical separation

Central reservation, verge, barrier or other impassable obstacle between the two directions of traffic. Allows a limit of 120 km/h if at least 2 lanes per direction.

C43 sign

Speed limit sign imposing a specific limit (30, 50, 70, 90 or 120 km/h). Always takes precedence over the general rule until the C45 sign or the next intersection.

Frequent trap: regions are not identical

The default speed differs by region, outside built-up areas and on ordinary roads: Flanders : 70 km/h (90 km/h only if a C43 '90' sign is displayed) Wallonia : 90 km/h (70 km/h on the central lane road) Brussels-Capital : 70 km/h The 30 km/h Brussels limit applies inside the built-up area , not outside. In the exam, always check the region and whether you are in a built-up area or not.

Frequent trap: sign on a specific lane

A C43 sign placed above a lane (on a gantry or pole) applies only to that lane , not to the entire road. Other lanes retain their legal limit.

Key points to remember

50 km/h = built-up area in Flanders and Wallonia; in Brussels, 30 km/h in built-up area 70 km/h = ordinary road outside built-up area in Brussels and Flanders (without C43); in Wallonia, only on the central lane road 90 km/h = ordinary road outside built-up area in Wallonia; in Flanders only with a C43 '90' sign 120 km/h = motorways and roads with at least four lanes, two per direction, separated by something other than road markings Special limits: zone 30 and reserved paths 30 km/h; residential area and meeting zone 20 km/h; school street and pedestrian zone at walking pace A C43 sign always takes precedence over the general rule, and applies until the next intersection inclusive A C43 sign above a lane concerns only that lane

What now?

First take the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and MCQs . Next lesson: Zone 30, residential area and construction site .

BelgianLicenses

You know the theory; now it's time to practice. The simulator is your best ally.