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Rail trackFlanders

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.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Flanders

97. Rail track

A rail track is a pair of rails used to guide trams, trains or other rail vehicles. Tracks may run alongside a road, cross it or be embedded directly in the carriageway so that rail vehicles and other road users travel through the same area.

Road users should take particular care around tracks because rail vehicles cannot steer around obstacles and require considerable distance to stop. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians must follow the applicable priority rules, traffic lights, warning signs and crossing rules and must avoid unnecessarily obstructing the tracks.

Rail track
Railway tracks and signal. (Örebro, Sweden)
Wikimedia.org • Fifo • CC BY-SA
Do trams have priority on tracks in Belgium?

Yes. Every road user must give way to rail vehicles and must clear the tracks as quickly as possible to allow them to pass.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian current Road Code12.1 and40.3 — rail priority and stopped public-transport passengers

Does a tram have priority even when it approaches from the left?

Yes. The special priority rule for rail vehicles is not the ordinary priority-from-the-right rule. Road users must give way to the tram regardless of whether it approaches from the left or right, subject to any applicable traffic-control signals.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian current Road Code12.1 and40.3 — rail priority and stopped public-transport passengers

What should drivers do near a tram stopped for passengers?

Drivers must reduce speed when passing a tram stopped for passengers. If there is no refuge island, a driver passing on the side where passengers board or alight must stop to let them reach or leave the tram safely, and may then restart only at a moderate speed.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian current Road Code40.3.1–40.3.2 — slow past stopped tram, stop for passengers without refuge

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 ...