ParkingBelgium

A vehicle is considered parked when it remains stationary for longer than necessary for passengers to get in or out or for goods to be loaded or unloaded. Refuelling a vehicle or charging the battery of an electric or hybrid vehicle is also considered parking.

A vehicle is considered stopped when it remains stationary only for the time necessary for passengers to get in or out or for goods to be loaded or unloaded. If it remains there longer, it is considered parked. Being forced to stop by traffic conditions is treated separately from voluntary stopping or parking.

A parked vehicle must normally be positioned on the right-hand side relative to its direction of travel. On a one-way carriageway, it may be positioned on either side. A vehicle parked wholly or partly on the carriageway must normally be placed as far as possible from the centre, parallel with the edge and in a single line.

As a general rule, ordinary motor vehicles may not park on a pavement. Parking on raised verges within built-up areas is also prohibited unless local regulations permit it. Where a usable verge must be used by pedestrians, a passable strip of at least 1.5 metres must normally remain available.

You may not stop or park on a pedestrian or cyclist crossing or on the carriageway within 5 metres before the crossing. This rule helps preserve visibility between approaching traffic and people using the crossing.

Stopping and parking are generally prohibited within 5 metres of the extension of the nearest edge of the transverse carriageway at an intersection, unless local regulations provide otherwise.

Parking is prohibited within 15 metres on either side of a sign indicating a bus, trolleybus or tram stop. This is a parking prohibition, so the rules concerning a brief legal stop must be distinguished from leaving the vehicle parked.

You may not park where doing so would leave less than 3 metres of free passage on the carriageway. Parking is also prohibited where your vehicle would prevent another parked vehicle from being entered or moved or would obstruct access to parking places located outside the carriageway.

Where the parking-disc rules apply, the driver must place an approved parking disc visibly in the vehicle and set the arrow to the mark immediately following the arrival time. Unless the signs specify different conditions, the system applies from 09:00 to 18:00 on working days and allows a maximum parking period of two hours.

At parking metres or ticket machines, drivers must comply with the conditions displayed at the location. Other authorised payment methods may also be provided. Where paid parking applies, the local signs and payment system determine the applicable period, price and maximum parking duration.

Only vehicles used by persons entitled to the recognised parking card for people with disabilities may use spaces specifically reserved for them. The card or recognised equivalent must be displayed as required when the vehicle is parked there.

Parking in front of an entrance or driveway to a property is prohibited. An exception applies to a vehicle whose registration number is legibly displayed on that entrance, allowing the vehicle associated with the property to park there.