School areaFlanders

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.


29. School area

A school area is a road or group of roads near a school where large numbers of children may walk, cycle, cross the road or enter and leave vehicles. It may be identified by warning signs, zone signs, road markings, traffic-calming measures or flashing lights.

Special speed limits, parking restrictions or access rules may apply permanently or only during school arrival and departure times. Drivers should reduce speed, watch carefully for children and be prepared to stop.

School area
School-area warning sign in Liège. (Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Alain Rouiller • CC BY-SA
What is legally considered a school area in Belgium?

A Belgian schoolomgeving is a zone consisting of one or more public roads or road sections that includes an entrance to a school and is marked by the legally prescribed entrance and exit signs.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

Warning for children. Warning for children.

English • Traffic sign A23 • Place particularly frequented by children.

Français • Signal routier A23 • Endroit spécialement fréquenté par des enfants.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord A23 • Plaats waar speciaal veel kinderen komen.

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)

When does the Belgian school-area 30 km/h limit apply?

A school area marked by F4a and F4b has a maximum of 30 km/h. A permanently displayed restriction applies at all times, including outside school hours. Variable school-area signs may display the restriction during arrival and departure periods. When it is not displayed, apply the otherwise applicable regional, zonal or signed limit and slow further when children or conditions require it.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

Start of a zone with speed limit. Start of a zone with speed limit.

English • Traffic sign F4a • Beginning of a zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h. This sign is placed on the right at every entrance to a zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h; it may be repeated on the left.

Français • Signal routier F4a • Commencement d'une zone dans laquelle la vitesse est limitée à 30 km à l'heure. Ce signal est placé à droite de chaque accès à une zone dans laquelle la vitesse est limitée à 30 km à l'heure; il peut être répété à gauche.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord F4a • Begin van een zone met een snelheidsbeperking van 30 km per uur. Dit verkeersbord wordt rechts geplaatst aan elke toegang tot een zone met een snelheidsbeperking van 30 km per uur; het mag links herhaald worden.

Sources

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

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 71. Aanwijzingsborden (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 71. Signaux d'indication (FR)

End of the zone with speed limit. End of the zone with speed limit.

English • Traffic sign F4b • End of a zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h. This sign is placed on the right at every exit from a zone where the speed limit is 30 km/h; it may be repeated on the left.

Français • Signal routier F4b • Fin d'une zone dans laquelle la vitesse est limitée à 30 km à l'heure. Ce signal est placé à droite de chaque sortie d'une zone dans laquelle la vitesse est limitée à 30 km à l'heure; il peut être répété à gauche.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord F4b • Einde van een zone met een snelheidsbeperking van 30 km per uur. Dit verkeersbord wordt rechts geplaatst aan elke uitgang van een zone met een snelheidsbeperking van 30 km per uur; het mag links herhaald worden.

Is a school area the same as a Belgian school street?

No. A school area is principally a signed 30 km/h environment. A schoolstraat temporarily restricts motor-vehicle access during specified periods.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

Must drivers take special care around children?

Yes. Belgian drivers must be especially cautious around children, reduce speed and stop when necessary.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

How does a crossing supervisor stop traffic?

The authorised supervisor uses a hand-held disc displaying traffic sign C3. Road users must stop when directed.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 2.37, 2.68, 22quater, 22undecies, 40.2, 40bis and 71.2 (F4a/F4b)

Access prohibited in both directions. Access prohibited in both directions.

English • Traffic sign C3 • No access in either direction for any driver or rider.

Français • Signal routier C3 • Accès interdit, dans les deux sens, à tout conducteur.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord C3 • Verboden toegang, in beide richtingen, voor iedere bestuurder.

Sources

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

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 68. Verbodsborden (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 68. Signaux d'interdiction (FR)

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 ...