Keep right, motorway and special lanes

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The duty to keep right, lane use on motorways and the rules governing special lanes for buses, trams and dedicated sites.

Coverage, Keep right, motorway and special lanes

Lesson objectives

Understand the fundamental principle of keeping right and its legal exceptions Master the positioning rules on motorway and special lanes Correctly apply overtaking and repositioning obligations

The fundamental principle: keep right

Article 9.3.1 sets out the rule: "Any driver travelling on the roadway must keep as close as possible to the right edge of it, except on public squares or if it is to comply with the indications of signals F13 and F15 ." The same article immediately adds two reservations: the driver who has complied with an F13 or F15 must return to their right position as soon as circumstances permit ; unless a part of the public road is reserved for them, the driver is not required to keep as close as possible to the right edge in the ring of a roundabout , they use the lane that best suits their destination, respecting the markings. The rule is therefore not "absolute": it is general, and the code itself outlines its boundaries.

Keep right

Keep as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway (art. 9.3.1): general obligation, excluded on public squares, in the ring of a roundabout, to comply with signals F13 and F15, and in the cases of articles 9.4 and 9.5, where the driver may use the lane that best suits their destination.

Correct positioning on a three-lane road

Exceptions to the principle: when you can leave the right lane

Although the obligation to keep right is strict, the law recognizes situations where you must or may leave the right lane. These exceptions are never arbitrary permissions , they are governed by precise rules.

Exception 1: Overtaking

Overtaking is performed on the left (art. 16.3), and article 16.6 requires returning to the right position as soon as possible , without hindering other drivers, by signalling the manoeuvre. However, the same article provides that the driver is not required to return to the right position if they wish to perform another overtaking immediately : on two-way roadways divided into four lanes or more , provided they only use the lanes in their direction; on one-way roadways. And article 16.3 reserves a case of overtaking on the right : when the driver to be overtaken has indicated their intention to turn left or move to the left side, and has already moved to the left.

Common pitfall: driving fast does not exempt you from anything, after overtaking, you return to the right position as soon as circumstances permit (art. 16.6). But beware of the opposite pitfall: on a one-way roadway, or on four lanes or more in both directions, one who immediately performs another overtaking is not required to move back between the two. It is not a right to stay on the left: it is an exemption from zigzagging.

Exception 2: Traffic jams

Two articles govern traffic in queues, and they do not say the same thing as "in a traffic jam, anything goes": Article 9.5 : when traffic density justifies it , traffic may proceed in multiple lanes, on two-way roadways divided into four lanes or more, using only the lanes in the direction followed; on one-way roadways; and on roadways covered by the traffic light signals of article 62bis. Article 16.2 : in these situations, the fact that vehicles in one lane travel faster than those in another is not considered overtaking , except for the application of article 17.2, 5°, that is, when approaching a pedestrian crossing. This last reservation is what the exam tests: even in a queue, you do not overtake a vehicle that stops at a pedestrian crossing.

Traffic jam

Situation of slowed or blocked traffic where vehicles cannot maintain normal speed. In a traffic jam, drivers may travel on all available lanes without this being considered overtaking.

Exception 3: Motorcycles in traffic jams (lane splitting)

Article 16.2bis does not mention traffic jams or "two left lanes". It says this: for motorcyclists, travelling between two traffic lanes or queues at a speed higher than stationary or slow-moving vehicles is not considered overtaking, except for the application of article 17.2, 5° . Two speed limits frame the manoeuvre: the motorcyclist cannot exceed 50 km/h , and the speed difference with vehicles in the lanes or queues cannot exceed 20 km/h . No particular lane is imposed: it can be between any lanes or queues.

Traffic jam circulation on motorway

Positioning on motorway: specific rules

On motorways, the obligation to stay as close as possible to the right edge remains that of article 9.3.1: unless circumstances justify occupying another lane, you drive on the right lane , regardless of your speed. Two additional rules apply: Article 21.3 : on a roadway with three or more lanes in the direction of travel, buses , coaches and vehicles whose MMA exceeds 3.5 t may only use the two right lanes , except to comply with signals F13 and F15. Article 9.7 : it is forbidden to drive on the emergency stopping lane , except for priority vehicles on urgent missions, for persons or services required by the public prosecutor or police responding to an incident when traffic is heavily slowed or stopped, and for breakdown trucks in the same circumstances.

F5

You are arriving at the beginning of a motorway or an access to a motorway. From this sign onwards, you are on a motorway. The maximum permitted speed is 120 kilometres per hour. Access is prohibited to pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds, tractors and trailers. You must switch on your dipped headlights and adapt your minimum speed, which is 70 kilometres per hour on the left lane.

F7

You see sign F7: end of motorway. You are leaving the motorway. The specific motorway rules, speed limited to 120 kilometres per hour and restricted access, no longer apply. Adjust your speed to the new road and remain attentive to the type of road you are joining.

The emergency lane: collective obligation

On motorways and on all roads divided into traffic lanes, in the event of a queue forming (traffic jam, accident), drivers must create an emergency lane to allow priority vehicles (ambulances, fire engines, police) to pass.

Emergency lane rules:

Two lanes: drivers on the left move to the left, those on the right move to the right, creating a lane in the centre Three or more lanes: drivers on the left move to the left, all others move to the right, creating a lane next to the left lane This obligation applies as soon as a queue forms

Special lanes: bus lanes and reserved areas

Certain lanes are reserved for specific users. You cannot use them freely, even to comply with the rule of keeping to the right.

Bus lane

Special lane reserved for regular public transport services, marked by broken white lines or a checkerboard pattern. It is forbidden to drive on it, park on it or stop on it, except in the immediate vicinity of a junction to change direction or to avoid an obstacle.

F17

F17, Indication of traffic lanes, one of which is reserved for buses. This sign shows the organisation of lanes with a dedicated bus lane. You must stay on the lane corresponding to your vehicle type. Buses have a priority lane.

Overtaking rail vehicles (trams)

Article 16.9 deals with overtaking rail vehicles using the roadway . It is carried out on the right , whether the vehicle is moving or stopped for boarding or alighting of passengers , the stationary tram is therefore not an exception, it is the typical case. Overtaking may be carried out on the left in two cases: if it cannot be carried out on the right due to the narrowness of the passage , the presence of a stationary or parked vehicle, or any other fixed obstacle , and provided it does not hinder or endanger users coming in the opposite direction; on one-way roadways , when traffic conditions justify it.

The zipper system: traffic jam with lane closure

Article 12bis describes the zipper system with precise conditions. It applies when traffic is heavily slowed . Drivers travelling on a lane that ends or on which traffic is interrupted may merge onto the adjacent free lane only just before the narrowing , not five hundred metres before. Drivers on the free lane must yield in turn , just before the narrowing, priority to a driver merging. And if traffic is interrupted on both sides , priority is given first to a driver on the right lane, then to a driver on the left lane.

Zipper system

Method of orderly insertion of vehicles when several traffic lanes are closed. Drivers yield the right of way in turn, one by one, in the remaining open lane.

Choice of lane when turning right

The choice of lane does not depend on a 'right turn' but on the type of roadway and location. Article 9.4 : in built-up areas , drivers may use the lane that best suits their destination : on one-way roadways divided into traffic lanes; on two-way roadways divided into four or more lanes , with at least two in each direction. Outside built-up areas, or on a roadway that does not meet these conditions, the rule of article 9.3.1 applies: as close as possible to the right edge.

Motorway entry: merging and courtesy

When you enter the motorway via the access lane, you must give way to vehicles already present . If you have sufficient speed, you can merge before the end of the access lane. Drivers on the right lane can, out of courtesy, move to the left to facilitate your insertion, provided they do not obstruct any other road user.

F13

The F13 sign announces road markings and requires you to choose your traffic lane. It displays the number of lanes and the directions available for each one. Position yourself in time on the lane that corresponds to your destination.

Ghost drivers: extreme danger

A ghost driver is a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on the left lane of the motorway. This is extremely dangerous (head-on collision at high speed). If you encounter one: Slow down immediately Move to the right (even onto the emergency lane if necessary) Flash your headlights only at the moment of passing Call the police at 112 immediately afterwards

Lane reserved for peak hours

Article 22decies regulates the use of lanes reserved for peak hours: it is determined by the zonal validity signage of article 65.4 or by the light signals of article 62bis . These signals, placed above the lanes, have their own meaning: a red light in the shape of a cross : no entry on this lane, except in the cases of article 9.7; a green light in the shape of a downward-pointing arrow : entry permitted; an orange light, possibly flashing, in the shape of an oblique downward-pointing arrow : no entry, except to leave the lane in the direction indicated by the arrow. And if neither the signage nor the lights are working , traffic on this lane is prohibited , except in the cases of article 9.7, to access or exit the motorway, and to change direction.

Key points to remember

Article 9.3.1 : as close as possible to the right edge, except on squares, in the roundabout ring, and to comply with signals F13 and F15 (with return to the right as soon as possible). Article 9.4 : in built-up areas, the lane that best suits your destination on one-way carriageways divided into lanes, or four or more lanes in both directions. Article 9.5 : traffic in multiple lanes when density justifies it; this is not an overtaking maneuver (art. 16.2), except when approaching a pedestrian crossing. Article 16.6 : return to your place on the right after overtaking, except to immediately start a new overtaking maneuver on one-way carriageways or four or more lanes. Article 16.2bis : motorcyclists lane-splitting, 50 km/h maximum and 20 km/h maximum speed difference, between any lanes or files. Article 16.9 : rail vehicles overtake on the right , even when stopped for boarding; on the left only if passage on the right is impossible, or on one-way carriageways. Article 12bis : zipper merge, merge just before the narrowing ; give way in turn , first to the driver on the right, then to the one on the left. Article 9.7 : emergency lane prohibited, except for priority vehicles on urgent missions, required services, and tow trucks. Article 9.8 : emergency corridor, with two lanes, each moves to their side; with more than two lanes, the left lane moves to the left and all others to the right.

What now?

First complete the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . Next lesson: Lane changing and blind spots .

BelgianLicenses

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