Give wayFlanders

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Flanders. 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.


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.

Give way
A give way sign. (Liège, Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Jeanhousen • CC BY-SA
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.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

Give way. Give way.

English • Traffic sign B1 • Give way.

Français • Signal routier B1 • Céder la priorité.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B1 • Voorrang verlenen.

Must you always stop at a Belgian give-way sign?

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.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

Who must you give way to at a Belgian give-way sign?

You must give way to every driver travelling on the public road or carriageway you are entering.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

What is the difference between a give-way sign and a stop sign in Belgium?

A give-way sign requires drivers to give way but does not always require a stop. A stop sign requires drivers to stop completely and then give way.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

Can a Belgian give-way sign have a panel warning of 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.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 12, 65.2, 67.3 (B1/B3, M9/M10) and 76.2

1 Flanders 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 ...