Give wayBelgium
Traffic rules
Belgium
19. Give way
A give-way sign requires drivers to allow traffic with priority to proceed before entering, crossing or joining a road. Drivers must reduce speed, observe approaching traffic and stop when necessary.
Unlike a stop sign, a give-way sign does not always require a complete stop. The driver may continue without stopping only when the route is clearly safe and no road user with priority is forced to change speed or direction.
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Which Belgian traffic signs indicate that you must give way?
Traffic sign B1 means that drivers must give way. Traffic sign B3 announces an upcoming B1 sign and indicates approximately how far away it is.
Give way.
Signal routier B1 • Céder la priorité.
Verkeersbord B1 • Voorrang verlenen.
Give way ahead.
Signal routier B3 • Signal annonçant le signal B1 à la distance approximativement indiquée.
Verkeersbord B3 • Verkeersbord dat het verkeersbord B1 aankondigt op de bij benadering aangeduide afstand.
What changes for give-way signs under Belgium’s new Road Code?
Belgium’s new Code of the Public Road takes effect on 1 June 2027. Traffic sign B1 keeps its existing number and continues to mean give way. The current traffic sign B3, which announces an upcoming B1 sign, is no longer included as a separate traffic sign. Instead, a distance indication can be given using supplementary sign M1 with B1.
Give way.
Signal routier B1 • Céder la priorité.
Verkeersbord B1 • Voorrang verlenen.
... metres ahead.
Signal routier M1 • Panneau additionnel indiquant la distance approximative entre le signal et le début du passage dangereux ou le signal identique à celui sous lequel il est placé (exemple).
Verkeersbord M1 • Onderbord dat bij benadering de afstand aanduidt tussen het verkeersbord en het begin van de gevaarlijke passage of het identieke verkeersbord als dat waaronder het is geplaatst (voorbeeld).
Must you always stop at Belgian sign B1?
No. You must stop only when necessary to give way or to obtain a clear view. If the road is clearly free, you may continue cautiously without making a complete stop.
Who must you give way to at B1?
You must give way to every driver travelling on the public road or carriageway you are entering.
When may you continue after giving way?
You may proceed only when this can be done without danger, taking account of the position, speed and distance of the other road users.
What do the white triangles on the road mean?
A transverse row of white triangles indicates the place where drivers must, when necessary, stop to give way because of sign B1. These markings are commonly called shark teeth.
Must you stop before the white triangles?
Only when stopping is necessary to give way or observe traffic. When the road is clearly free, you may cross the markings cautiously without stopping.
What if there are no white triangles?
Approach B1 cautiously and give way before entering the intersection or priority road. Stop at a position from which you can observe traffic safely when necessary.
What is the difference between B1 and B5?
B1 requires drivers to give way but does not always require a stop. B5 requires drivers to stop completely and then give way.
What does Belgian sign B3 mean?
Traffic sign B3 announces that a B1 give-way sign is ahead and indicates its approximate distance.
Is B3 always placed before B1?
No. It is used where advance warning is required, particularly when B1 is not visible from a sufficient distance. Belgian placement rules provide exceptions, including certain locations inside built-up areas.
Does B1 replace priority from the right?
Yes, at that intersection. A driver approaching B1 must give way to traffic on the road being entered, even when that traffic approaches from the left.
Does B1 mean that the other road is a priority road?
Not necessarily. It establishes priority at that particular intersection. The other road is a continuing priority road only when signs such as B9 indicate that status.
Can B1 be used at a roundabout?
Yes. Belgian roundabout entrances are normally controlled by B1 or B5. A driver approaching B1 must give way to drivers already travelling on the roundabout.
Must you give way to traffic in every roundabout lane?
Yes. Do not enter when your movement would hinder a driver already circulating, including a vehicle travelling in an inner lane that may change position or leave the roundabout.
Can B1 warn about cyclists travelling in both directions?
Yes. A supplementary panel may indicate that cyclists, or cyclists together with certain two-wheeled mopeds, travel in both directions on the road being entered.
Must you check both directions for cyclists?
Yes. Where contraflow or two-way cycle traffic is permitted, cyclists or mopeds may lawfully approach from either direction.
Can B1 apply only to cyclists?
Yes. A supplementary panel may indicate that B1 applies only to cyclists or to cyclists together with specified two-wheeled moped riders.
Must cyclists obey an ordinary B1 sign?
Yes. When the sign applies to their route, cyclists must give way like other drivers.
Does B1 itself require you to give way to pedestrians?
B1 primarily regulates priority between drivers. Separate Belgian rules still require drivers to give way when turning across pedestrians with priority, crossing a pavement or cycle path, or approaching a pedestrian crossing.
Must you give way when crossing a bike path?
Yes. A driver crossing a bike path must give way to the road users legally using it, regardless of the additional B1 obligation.
Does stopping voluntarily give you priority?
No. Even after stopping, you remain subject to B1 and may proceed only when priority traffic can continue without being hindered.
Must every vehicle in a queue assess priority separately?
Yes. Each driver must check the road independently. You may not follow the vehicle ahead through the intersection without confirming that it remains safe.
Does B1 apply while traffic lights are operating?
No, when functioning traffic lights control the same road at that location. The traffic lights then determine whether you may proceed.
What if the traffic light is flashing orange-yellow?
An orange-yellow flashing light does not change the priority arrangement. You may pass it with extra caution, but the B1 sign remains applicable.
What if an authorised officer directs traffic?
Follow the officer’s instructions. Orders from a competent authorised person take precedence over traffic lights, signs, road markings and ordinary traffic rules.
Does B1 impose a speed limit?
No. It regulates priority. You must nevertheless approach at a speed that allows you to observe traffic and stop when necessary.
