Priority roadFlanders

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.


21. Priority road

A priority road is a road whose traffic is given priority over traffic entering from intersecting roads. It is normally identified by a priority-road sign, while an end sign indicates where that continuing priority status stops.

Drivers on a priority road must still obey traffic lights, authorised officers, speed limits, crossings and turning rules. Having priority never allows a driver to proceed when doing so would create danger or block an intersection.

Priority-road sign in Seraing. (Liège, Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Jeanhousen • CC BY-SA
Which Belgian traffic signs indicate the beginning and end of a priority road?

Traffic sign B9 indicates the beginning of a priority road. Traffic sign B11 indicates the end of a priority road.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 6, 12, 19, 40.4 and 67.3 (B9/B11/B15)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 6, 12, 19, 40.4 and 67.3 (B9/B11/B15)

Start of a priority road. Start of a priority road.

English • Traffic sign B9 • Priority road.

Français • Signal routier B9 • Voie prioritaire.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B9 • Voorrangsweg.

End of the priority road. End of the priority road.

English • Traffic sign B11 • End of priority road.

Français • Signal routier B11 • Fin de voie prioritaire.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B11 • Einde van voorrangsweg.

Does a Belgian priority road end at every intersection?

No. Its priority status continues until sign B11 indicates the end. The repetition of B9 after intersections confirms that continuing status.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 6, 12, 19, 40.4 and 67.3 (B9/B11/B15)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 6, 12, 19, 40.4 and 67.3 (B9/B11/B15)

End of the priority road. End of the priority road.

English • Traffic sign B11 • End of priority road.

Français • Signal routier B11 • Fin de voie prioritaire.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B11 • Einde van voorrangsweg.

Start of a priority road. Start of a priority road.

English • Traffic sign B9 • Priority road.

Français • Signal routier B9 • Voie prioritaire.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B9 • Voorrangsweg.

Which signs are normally placed on the side roads?

Drivers entering the priority road are normally controlled by traffic sign B1, meaning give way, or B5, meaning stop and give way.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 6, 12, 19, 40.4 and 67.3 (B9/B11/B15)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 6, 12, 19, 40.4 and 67.3 (B9/B11/B15)

Give way. Give way.

English • Traffic sign B1 • Give way.

Français • Signal routier B1 • Céder la priorité.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B1 • Voorrang verlenen.

Stop and give way. Stop and give way.

English • Traffic sign B5 • Stop and give way.

Français • Signal routier B5 • Marquer l’arrêt et céder la priorité.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord B5 • Stoppen en voorrang verlenen.

Does a Belgian priority-road sign give you priority over pedestrians?

No. A priority-road sign primarily regulates priority between drivers at intersections. Drivers must still give way to pedestrians at crossings and when turning where Belgian rules require it.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 6, 12, 19, 40.4 and 67.3 (B9/B11/B15)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 6, 12, 19, 40.4 and 67.3 (B9/B11/B15)

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 ...