ZoneBrussels

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Brussels. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


6. Zone

A traffic zone is an area in which a traffic rule applies throughout all included roads or road sections. The rule normally begins at a zone-entry sign and remains applicable until the corresponding end-of-zone sign is passed.

Zones may regulate speed, parking, access, vehicle categories, emissions or other traffic behaviour. The signs used, the roads covered and the effect of intersections or local exceptions depend on local traffic law.

Start of a 30 km/h zone. (Liège, Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Alain Rouiller • CC BY-SA
How can you recognise a traffic zone in Belgium?

A Belgian traffic zone is normally indicated by a rectangular zonal sign displaying the applicable prohibition, speed restriction or parking rule. For example, a Zone 30 begins at traffic sign F4a and ends at traffic sign F4b. Other zonal regulations use the relevant prohibition sign from the C series or parking and stopping sign from the E series within a zonal panel. The corresponding end-zone sign indicates where the zonal regulation ends.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 securotheque.wallonie.be • SPW Sécurothèque — C43 and zonal validity

Start of a zone with speed limit. Start of a zone with speed limit.

English • Traffic sign F4a • Beginning of a zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h. This sign is placed on the right at every entrance to a zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h; it may be repeated on the left.

Français • Signal routier F4a • Commencement d'une zone dans laquelle la vitesse est limitée à 30 km à l'heure. Ce signal est placé à droite de chaque accès à une zone dans laquelle la vitesse est limitée à 30 km à l'heure; il peut être répété à gauche.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord F4a • Begin van een zone met een snelheidsbeperking van 30 km per uur. Dit verkeersbord wordt rechts geplaatst aan elke toegang tot een zone met een snelheidsbeperking van 30 km per uur; het mag links herhaald worden.

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)

End of the zone with speed limit. End of the zone with speed limit.

English • Traffic sign F4b • End of a zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h. This sign is placed on the right at every exit from a zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h; it may be repeated on the left.

Français • Signal routier F4b • Fin d'une zone dans laquelle la vitesse est limitée à 30 km à l'heure. Ce signal est placé à droite de chaque sortie d'une zone dans laquelle la vitesse est limitée à 30 km à l'heure; il peut être répété à gauche.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord F4b • Einde van een zone met een snelheidsbeperking van 30 km per uur. Dit verkeersbord wordt rechts geplaatst aan elke uitgang van een zone met een snelheidsbeperking van 30 km per uur; het mag links herhaald worden.

Which Belgian traffic signs can have zonal validity?

Zonal validity may be given to certain prohibition signs and signs concerning parking. Not every Belgian traffic sign may be used as a zonal sign.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 securotheque.wallonie.be • SPW Sécurothèque — C43 and zonal validity

Where does a Belgian zonal rule apply?

The regulation applies throughout the entire area enclosed by the zone signs. It may therefore cover several roads, road sections and intersections.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 securotheque.wallonie.be • SPW Sécurothèque — C43 and zonal validity

Does an intersection end a Belgian traffic zone?

No. Passing an intersection does not normally end a zonal regulation. The rule continues until the corresponding end-zone sign or another legally applicable change is reached.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 securotheque.wallonie.be • SPW Sécurothèque — C43 and zonal validity

What is a Belgian speed zone?

A speed zone is an area in which the maximum speed displayed on a zonal C43 sign applies from the beginning of the zone until its end.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 22quater, 65.5 and 71 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 securotheque.wallonie.be • SPW Sécurothèque — C43 and zonal validity

Start of a speed limit. Start of a speed limit.

English • Traffic sign C43 • Travelling faster than the indicated speed is prohibited from the sign up to and including the next junction, or until any C43 sign, with or without zonal validity, or a sign marking the beginning or end of a built-up area, residential area (zone résidentielle or zone de rencontre), or pedestrian zone.

Français • Signal routier C43 • A partir du signal jusqu'au prochain carrefour inclus, ou jusqu’à chaque signal C43 avec ou sans validité zonale, ou jusqu’au signal indiquant le début ou la fin d’une agglomération, d’une zone résidentielle, d’une zone de rencontre ou d’une zone piétonne, interdiction de circuler à une vitesse supérieure à celle qui est indiquée.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord C43 • Vanaf het verkeersbord tot en met het volgend kruispunt, of tot elk verkeersbord C43 met of zonder zonale geldigheid, of tot het verkeersbord dat het begin of het einde van een bebouwde kom, van een woonerf of erf, of van een voetgangerszone aanduidt, verbod te rijden met een grotere snelheid dan deze die is aangeduid.

1 Brussels 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Speed bump 12 Customs 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Priority road 22 Road narrowing 23 Priority over oncoming traffic 24 Give way to oncoming traffic 25 Pedestrian crossing 26 Railway crossing 27 Mandatory direction 28 Turn prohibition 29 School area 30 Crossing animals 31 Rockfall 32 Curve 33 Chevron 34 Wrong-way driving 35 Roadworks 36 Height limit 37 Width limit 38 Weight limit 39 Radar speed sign 40 Selective barriers 41 Intersection direction sign 42 Priority at the next junction 43 Traffic lights 44 Pedestrian lights 45 Driving licence 46 Location marker 47 Traffic mirror 48 International border 49 Cycling route 50 Parking 51 No parking 52 Kiss and ride 53 Parking meter 54 Traffic management 55 Reversing 56 Uncontrolled crossroad 57 Road surface 58 Ring road 59 Cycle highway 60 Licence plate 61 Charging station 62 Dangers 63 Turn on red 64 Identity card 65 Fire risk 66 Pedestrian 67 Moped 68 Car 69 Truck 70 Bus 71 Police 72 Ambulance 73 Tram lights 74 European emission standard 75 Pothole 76 Public square 77 Path 78 Particulates 79 Air pollution 80 Rush hour 81 Road code 82 Street gutter 83 Cargo bike 84 Forestry vehicle 85 Construction vehicle 86 Semi-trailer truck 87 Trolleybus 88 Speed pedelec 89 Delivery vehicle 90 Idling 91 Tow truck 92 Four-wheel drive 93 No vehicles 94 Bicycle 95 Motorcycle equipment 96 Railcar 97 Rail track 98 Public transport 99 Caravan 100 Trailer ...