Dead endBrussels
Traffic rules
Brussels
17. Dead end
A dead-end road is a road that does not provide a through route for some or all vehicles. It may end completely, terminate at a barrier or continue as a path that only certain road users may use.
Drivers may normally enter a dead-end road to reach homes, businesses, parking places or other destinations, but they must be prepared to turn around or leave by the same route. Signs may indicate that pedestrians or cyclists can continue beyond the point where motor traffic cannot.
Wikimedia.org • Jean Housen • CC BY-SA
Which Belgian traffic signs indicate a dead-end road?
Traffic sign F45 indicates a dead-end road with no through route, meaning drivers entering it must normally leave again by the same route. Traffic sign F45b indicates a dead-end road for motor traffic where pedestrians and cyclists can continue.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 10–13 and 71.2 (F45/F45b)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 10–13 and 71.2 (F45/F45b)
Dead end street.
English • Traffic sign F45 • No through road.
Français • Signal routier F45 • Voie sans issue.
Nederlands • Verkeersbord F45 • Doodlopende weg.
Sources
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org
Vascer • Public domain. Original SVG unmodified.
🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 71. Aanwijzingsborden (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 71. Signaux d'indication (FR)
Dead end street with a passage for pedestrians and cyclists.
English • Traffic sign F45b • No through road, except for pedestrians and cyclists.
Français • Signal routier F45b • Voie sans issue, excepté pour les piétons et les cyclistes.
Nederlands • Verkeersbord F45b • Doodlopende weg, uitgezonderd voor voetgangers en fietsers.
What changes for dead-end roads under Belgium’s new Road Code?
Belgium’s new Code of the Public Road takes effect on 1 June 2027. The current traffic sign F45 for a dead-end road becomes traffic sign F45a. Traffic sign F45b continues to indicate a dead-end road where pedestrians and cyclists can continue. For both signs, the road-layout symbol may be adapted to the local situation.
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code, Articles 65–71; Articles 5–6, precedence
🔗 wegcode.be • Code of the Public Road (from 1 June 2027), Provisions applicable from 1 June 2027
Does a Belgian dead-end sign impose a speed limit?
No. The applicable regional, zonal or posted speed limit remains in force. Drivers must still adjust their speed to the road width, visibility and presence of pedestrians or cyclists.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 10–13 and 71.2 (F45/F45b)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 10–13 and 71.2 (F45/F45b)
Does a dead-end road automatically have lower priority?
No. Its dead-end status does not determine priority. Drivers must follow priority signs, traffic lights and the ordinary priority rules.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 10–13 and 71.2 (F45/F45b)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 10–13 and 71.2 (F45/F45b)
Must you use the indicators while turning around?
Indicate a lateral movement or change of direction in good time using the direction indicators. If the vehicle has none, give an arm signal where possible. Stop signalling once the movement is complete. A signal does not give priority: a driver making a manoeuvre must give way to other road users.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 10–13 and 71.2 (F45/F45b)
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 10–13 and 71.2 (F45/F45b)
