Railway crossingFlanders
Traffic rules
Flanders
26. Railway crossing
A railway crossing, also called a level crossing or railroad crossing, is a place where a road or path crosses railway tracks at the same level. It may be protected by barriers, warning lights, bells, traffic signs or a combination of these measures.
Road users must approach carefully and never enter when a train is approaching, warning signals are active or the exit is blocked. They should cross promptly and must never stop, wait or become trapped on the tracks.
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Which Belgian traffic signs are used at a railway crossing?
Belgian railway crossings can be indicated by several traffic signs depending on the type of crossing. Warning sign A41 warns of a railway crossing with barriers or half-barriers, while warning sign A43 warns of a railway crossing without barriers. At the crossing itself, traffic signs A45 and A47 indicate a railway crossing with one or more tracks.
Warning for a railway crossing with barriers.
Signal routier A41 • Passage à niveau avec barrières.
Verkeersbord A41 • Overweg met slagbomen.
Warning for a railway crossing without barriers.
Signal routier A43 • Passage à niveau sans barrières.
Verkeersbord A43 • Overweg zonder slagbomen.
Warning for a railway crossing with one track.
Signal routier A45 • Passage à niveau à voie unique.
Verkeersbord A45 • Overweg voor enkel spoor.
Warning for a railway crossing with two or more tracks.
Signal routier A47 • Passage à niveau à deux ou plusieurs voies.
Verkeersbord A47 • Overweg voor twee of meer sporen.
What is legally considered a railway crossing in Belgium?
A Belgian overweg is the complete or partial crossing of a public road by one or more railway tracks laid outside the carriageway.
Which Belgian sign warns of a railway crossing with barriers?
Traffic sign A41 warns of a railway crossing equipped with barriers.
Which Belgian sign warns of a railway crossing without barriers?
Traffic sign A43 warns of a railway crossing without barriers.
What does Belgian traffic sign A45 mean?
Traffic sign A45 indicates a railway crossing with a single track.
What does Belgian traffic sign A47 mean?
Traffic sign A47 indicates a railway crossing with two or more tracks.
What does Belgian traffic sign A49 mean?
Traffic sign A49 warns that the public road is crossed by one or more tracks laid in the carriageway. It is distinct from the A41 to A47 railway-crossing signs.
How must you approach a Belgian railway crossing?
Every road user must approach with extra caution and take all necessary measures to avoid an accident.
What do the alternating red lights mean?
Two alternating flashing red lights mean that every road user must stop and may not pass the stop line or, when there is no stop line, the traffic signal itself.
What does the flashing moon-white light mean?
A flashing moon-white light means that the signal may be passed. You must still check that no other prohibition applies and that the crossing can be cleared safely.
Where must you stop for the red lights?
Stop before the stop line. When no stop line is present, stop before the railway-crossing signal without entering the tracks.
May you enter while the barriers are moving?
No. It is prohibited to enter while the barriers are moving, whether they are lowering or rising.
May you enter while the barriers are closed?
No. You must remain behind the barrier and may not drive, cycle or walk around it.
May you enter while the bell or audible signal is operating?
No. Entry is prohibited while the railway-crossing sound signal is operating.
May you cross when the red lights stop but the barrier is still moving?
No. You must wait until the barrier has stopped moving and is fully open and no other warning signal prohibits entry.
May you cross immediately after one train passes?
No, unless the crossing signals permit it. Another train may approach on a second track. Wait until the red lights and audible signal stop and the barriers are fully open.
What should you do at a crossing without barriers?
You may enter only after making sure that no rail vehicle is approaching. Slow down, look and listen carefully in both directions.
What should you do at a crossing without traffic lights?
You may cross only after verifying that no rail vehicle is approaching. The absence of active warning lights does not give you automatic permission to proceed.
What if the railway-crossing lights are not working?
Treat the crossing as unprotected. Proceed only after making sure that no rail vehicle is approaching and report the defect when it is safe to do so.
May you enter when traffic is queued beyond the tracks?
No. A driver may not enter when traffic is so obstructed that the vehicle would probably have to stop on the railway crossing.
Do the Belgian railway-crossing rules apply to cyclists and pedestrians?
Yes. The red lights, barriers and audible signals apply to every road user, including pedestrians and cyclists.
May a cyclist or pedestrian go around a closed barrier?
No. They must remain behind the barrier and wait until the crossing is fully open and the warning signals have stopped.
May you overtake on a Belgian railway crossing?
Certain left-side overtaking is prohibited on a crossing indicated by A45 or A47. The statutory exception applies when the crossing has barriers or when traffic is controlled by traffic lights.
May you stop or park on a Belgian railway crossing?
No. Both stopping and parking on a railway crossing are prohibited.
May you stop before a crossing when the exit is clear?
You may stop before the crossing when required by traffic, signals or safety. You must leave the tracks themselves completely clear.
What should you do if your vehicle becomes stuck on a Belgian railway crossing?
Leave the vehicle and railway tracks immediately, move everyone to safety and call Infrabel on 1711 so railway traffic can be stopped. You may also call the emergency services on 112.
How can you identify the exact crossing in an emergency?
Belgian railway-crossing poles carry a location sticker. Give the information on that sticker to Infrabel or the emergency services.
Should you attempt to recover belongings from a trapped vehicle?
No. Personal safety comes first. Leave the tracks immediately and do not return to the vehicle when a train may be approaching.
What should drivers of high vehicles check?
Respect every displayed height restriction and make sure the vehicle and load remain within the legal dimensions. Electrified crossings may have overhead wires and protective height structures.
Will these rules remain under Belgium’s new road code?
Yes. The Code of the Public Road taking effect on 1 June 2027 retains signs A41, A43, A45 and A47 and the prohibitions concerning moving or closed barriers, flashing red lights, audible signals and blocked crossings.
