When and how to signal

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Indicators: when to switch them on, how far in advance, and which manoeuvres legally require you to signal in Belgium.

Coverage, When and how to signal

Lesson objectives

Master the use of turn signals before any change of direction (delay, activation, deactivation) Understand the signalling rules for turning left, turning right and making a U-turn Identify situations where signalling is mandatory and places where certain manoeuvres are prohibited

Turn signals: when to use them?

The direction indicator is required before any manoeuvre, any lateral movement and any change of direction (art. 13 ), and articles 19.2, 1° and 19.3, 1° repeat it for turns: indicate your intention sufficiently in advance , and stop the indication as soon as the movement is completed . An exception, expressly written in the code: "The fact of entering a roundabout constitutes a change of direction not requiring the use of direction indicators. The fact of exiting it is a change of direction requiring their use." The roundabout is therefore not a case "like any other".

Direction indicator

Luminous device (turn signal) located at the front and rear of the vehicle, used to signal any lateral movement or change of direction to other road users.

Turning left: signalling and positioning

The driver turning left must (art. 19.3 ): indicate their intention sufficiently in advance with the left turn signal, the indication ceasing as soon as the movement is completed ; on a two-way road, move to the left without obstructing drivers coming in the opposite direction ; on a one-way road, keep as close as possible to the left edge ; give way to drivers coming in the opposite direction on the road they are about to leave; execute the movement at moderate speed ; at intersections, execute the movement as widely as possible , so as to approach from the right the road they are entering. The fifth point is the one most often poorly applied: do not "cut" the left turn.

C31a

Sign C31a prohibits turning left at the next intersection. A crossed-out arrow points to the left. At the intersection following this sign, you must continue straight or turn right. This prohibition often exists to improve traffic flow or to avoid cutting across a priority flow.

D1ba

D1, Obligation to follow the direction indicated by the arrow. The layout of the area determines the position of the arrow: pointing to the left, the signal requires turning left. The code has no numbered variants D1a to D1f: it is the same signal D1, with the arrow changing orientation. When multiple directions are permitted, it is signal D3, which requires following one of the directions indicated by the arrows.

Left turn at urban intersection

Turning right: signalling and positioning

The driver turning right must (art. 19.2 ): indicate their intention sufficiently in advance with the right turn signal, the indication ceasing as soon as the movement is completed ; keep as close as possible to the right edge of the road. They may move to the left if the layout of the area or the dimensions of the vehicle do not permit, but they must then ensure that no driver following them has begun overtaking ; execute the movement at moderate speed ; execute the movement as short as possible . Keeping to the right is not a courtesy: it is what prevents a cyclist from slipping between your vehicle and the pavement.

C31b

Sign C31b prohibits you from turning right at the next intersection. A crossed-out arrow points to the right. You must continue straight or turn left if possible. Respect the prescribed direction to avoid an infraction.

D1f

D1 with arrow pointing right, Obligation to follow the direction indicated by the arrow. Blue disc with white arrow, it requires turning right: continuing straight or turning left is prohibited. A clarification from article 69.3 often questioned: if the signal has a non-angled arrow and is placed on an obstacle, it means obligation to pass on the side indicated by the arrow.

Right turn with turn signal activated

Making a U-turn: rules and prohibitions

Making a U-turn is listed in the manoeuvres of article 12.4 : you must give way to other users , and only proceed without risk of accident (art. 12.5). Where U-turns are really prohibited: under a C33 sign, from the sign to the next intersection inclusive ; on motorway (art. 21.4, 2°) and, by reference, on motor road (art. 22.2); anywhere it would require crossing a solid white line (art. 72.2) or driving to its left. The two prohibitions that appeared here, "at intersections without traffic lights" and "in a one-way street", are written nowhere and have been removed. In a one-way street, what prevents you is not a U-turn prohibition: it is that on arrival you would be driving against traffic.

Warning: The U-turn prohibition sign (C33) prohibits only the U-turn . It does not prohibit turning left. These two manoeuvres are different.

C33

C33, No U-turn prohibition. From this sign and until the next intersection inclusive, you cannot make a U-turn. Continue on your route and find another place to reverse your direction of travel, such as a roundabout or the next intersection.

Before making a U-turn, always check that the maneuver is permitted at this location. If in doubt, prefer to retrace your route completely rather than risk an infraction.

Exiting a roundabout: indicator mandatory

The use of the indicator in a roundabout follows a specific rule: When entering the roundabout: the indicator is not mandatory When exiting the roundabout: the right indicator is mandatory Before exiting, position yourself on the outer lane and activate your right indicator to signal your intention to leave the ring.

D5

D5: this is the mandatory roundabout sign, in other words the 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. Sign B1 is often placed as a complement to remind you of this.

Overtaking: indicators and order of maneuvers

Overtaking chains two lateral movements, each signaled (art. 16.5 and 16.6 ): check the mirror and blind spot , verifying that no following driver has started an overtake (art. 16.4); left indicator , then lateral shift; the indication ceases as soon as the lateral movement is completed; overtaking, by moving sufficiently laterally; right indicator and return to lane as soon as possible, without inconveniencing others (art. 16.6); the indication ceases as soon as the return is completed. Reminder of article 16.7 : the one being overtaken must keep right and cannot accelerate .

Two formulations, not to be mixed: for a lateral movement , lane change, overtaking shift, the indication ceases as soon as the lateral movement is completed (art. 13 and 16.6); for a change of direction , a turn, it ceases as soon as the movement is accomplished (art. 19.2, 1° and 19.3, 1°), that is at the end of the turn, not when you start to steer. So do not turn off your indicator in the middle of a turn.

For lateral distance, the code is silent only for ordinary vehicles. It is precise for vulnerable users: article 40ter requires, when overtaking a cyclist or two-wheeled moped , a lateral distance of at least 1 meter in built-up areas and 1.50 meters outside built-up areas . For a motorcycle , it is article 16.5: move as much as necessary .

Changing lanes: a maneuver like any other

Changing lanes appears in the list of maneuvers in article 12.4 : indicator, give way to other users, check mirrors and blind spot, and proceed only without risk of accident (art. 12.5). Two express exclusions from the same article: it is not a maneuver to rejoin the roadway at the end of a cycle path by continuing straight, nor to merge according to the zipper principle (art. 12bis). And article 19.6 adds a position constraint: where traffic is conducted according to articles 9.4 and 9.5, one can only turn right from the right lane , and left from the left lane .

Art. 19.2 , turning right: indicator in time, keep to the right edge , moderate speed , movement as short as possible . Art. 19.3 , turning left: indicator in time, move to the left without inconveniencing oncoming traffic (or keep to the left edge on a one-way street), give way to drivers coming in the opposite direction , moderate speed, movement as wide as possible to approach from the right. Art. 19.4 and 19.5 : the one changing direction gives way to users of other parts of the same public road and to pedestrians crossing the roadway being approached . Art. 19.6 : turn right from the right lane, left from the left lane. Roundabout : no indicator on entry, indicator on exit (art. 19.2, 1°). End of indication : "as soon as the movement is accomplished" for a turn; "as soon as the lateral movement is completed" for a lane change. U-turn : maneuver (art. 12.4); prohibited under a C33 until the next intersection inclusive, on motorways and roads for motor vehicles.

What now?

First do the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and MCQs . Next lesson: Turning left, right, making a U-turn .

BelgianLicenses

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