QuayFlanders

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.


14. Quay

A quay is a constructed area beside a river, canal, harbour or other body of water, commonly used for loading, unloading, mooring vessels or providing waterside access. A road may run alongside the water or lead directly towards the quay edge.

In road traffic, a quay warning indicates a risk that a vehicle could leave the road and enter the water. Drivers should reduce speed, observe the road layout carefully and keep a safe distance from the waterside edge.

Quay
Quayside or riverbank warning sign along the Zuid-Willemsvaart. (Lozen, Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Mark Ahsmann • CC BY-SA
Which Belgian sign warns of a quay or riverbank?

Belgian warning sign A11 indicates that the road leads onto a quay or riverbank.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 10, 24–25 and 66.4 (A11)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 10, 24–25 and 66.4 (A11)

Warning for a quayside or riverbank. Warning for a quayside or riverbank.

English • Traffic sign A11 • Road leading to a quay or riverbank.

Français • Signal routier A11 • Débouché sur un quai ou une berge.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord A11 • Uitweg op een kaai of een oever.

Sources

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org
Vascer • Public domain. Original SVG unmodified.

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 66. Gevaarsborden (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 66. Signaux de danger (FR)

What changes for quays under Belgium’s new Road Code?

Belgium’s new Code of the Public Road takes effect on 1 June 2027. The warning sign for an exit onto a quay or bank keeps its number: A11. It warns of the quay or bank hazard.

🔗 wegcode.be • Code of the Public Road (from 1 June 2027), Provisions applicable from 1 June 2027

Does a quay or riverbank warning sign mean that the road definitely ends in Belgium?

Not necessarily. The road may end at the water, turn near it or continue along the quay. Drivers must slow down and observe the actual layout.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 10, 24–25 and 66.4 (A11)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 10, 24–25 and 66.4 (A11)

Does a Belgian quay or riverbank warning sign impose a speed limit?

No fixed numerical limit is created by the quay or riverbank warning sign. Drivers must respect the applicable speed limit and reduce their speed sufficiently to approach the danger safely.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 10, 24–25 and 66.4 (A11)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 10, 24–25 and 66.4 (A11)

Must you be able to stop before the quay edge?

Yes. Drivers must adjust their speed so they remain able to stop before a foreseeable obstruction or danger, including the end or edge of the road.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 10, 24–25 and 66.4 (A11)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 10, 24–25 and 66.4 (A11)

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 ...