Give way to oncoming trafficFlanders

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.


24. Give way to oncoming traffic

Give way to oncoming traffic means that drivers must allow vehicles approaching from the opposite direction to pass first through a narrow section of road. The rule is normally indicated by a sign facing the direction that must yield and a corresponding priority sign facing oncoming traffic.

Drivers must reduce speed and stop when necessary before entering the narrow passage. They may continue only when they can do so safely and without obstructing oncoming traffic that has priority.

Give way to oncoming traffic
Give-way-to-oncoming-traffic sign and weight restriction at Godinne Bridge. (Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Miguel Tremblay • CC0
Which Belgian sign means give way to oncoming traffic?

Traffic sign B19 requires drivers to give way to drivers approaching from the opposite direction through a narrow passage.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 6–7, 10, 12.5, 15, 40ter and 67.3 (B19/B21)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 6–7, 10, 12.5, 15, 40ter and 67.3 (B19/B21)

Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers. Road narrowing, give way to oncoming drivers.

English • Traffic sign B19 • Narrow passage. Obligation to give way to drivers coming from the opposite direction.

Français • Signal routier B19 • Passage étroit. Obligation de céder le passage aux conducteurs venant en sens opposé.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B19 • Smalle doorgang. Gebod voorrang te verlenen aan de bestuurders die uit de tegenovergestelde richting komen.

Must you always stop at a Belgian sign requiring you to give way to oncoming traffic?

No. You must slow down and stop when necessary to give way. You may continue cautiously when the passage is clear and no oncoming driver with priority will be hindered.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 6–7, 10, 12.5, 15, 40ter and 67.3 (B19/B21)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 6–7, 10, 12.5, 15, 40ter and 67.3 (B19/B21)

When may you enter the narrow passage?

You may enter only when you can clear it without forcing an oncoming driver to slow down, stop, reverse or alter course.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 6–7, 10, 12.5, 15, 40ter and 67.3 (B19/B21)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 6–7, 10, 12.5, 15, 40ter and 67.3 (B19/B21)

Must you give way to an oncoming cyclist?

Yes. If the passage is too narrow to pass while maintaining the required lateral distance, wait until the cyclist has cleared it.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 6–7, 10, 12.5, 15, 40ter and 67.3 (B19/B21)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 6–7, 10, 12.5, 15, 40ter and 67.3 (B19/B21)

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 ...