Selective barriersFlanders

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.

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Traffic signs

Traffic rules

Flanders

40. Selective barriers

Selective barriers are physical access-control devices that allow certain road users or authorised vehicles to pass while restricting other traffic. They may include fixed, removable, folding or retractable bollards, gates, barriers and width-filtering installations.

The permitted users are determined by traffic signs, access conditions and local regulations, not by the barrier alone. Drivers should approach slowly, verify that they are authorised and wait until any moving barrier is fully open or retracted before continuing.

Vehicle trap, also known locally as a carterbreker, in Morkhoven. (Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Hodagoe • CC BY-SA

Are selective barriers a separate legal road category in Belgium?

No. The current Belgian Highway Code does not define selective barriers as a separate road category. Access is determined by the applicable traffic signs, permits and local regulations.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian current Road Code — Articles4–5,65.2 and68.3 — access signs and M-panels

Which Belgian sign may prohibit access at a selective barrier?

Traffic sign C3 prohibits access in both directions for every driver. Supplementary signs may exempt particular categories.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian current Road Code — Articles4–5,65.2 and68.3 — access signs and M-panels

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)

May cyclists be exempted from a Belgian sign prohibiting vehicles in both directions?

Yes. A supplementary panel showing a bicycle exception indicates that the prohibition on vehicles in both directions does not apply to cyclists.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian current Road Code — Articles4–5,65.2 and68.3 — access signs and M-panels

May speed-pedelec riders be exempted?

Yes. Panel M11 may exempt speed-pedelec riders, while M12 may exempt cyclists, class A moped riders and speed-pedelec riders.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian current Road Code — Articles4–5,65.2 and68.3 — access signs and M-panels

Cyclists and class P mopeds allowed.

English • Traffic sign M11 • Supplementary plate used with signs C1, C3 and C31 to indicate that the prohibition does not apply to cyclists or speed pedelec riders.

Français • Signal routier M11 • Panonceau utilisé avec les signaux C1, C3 et C31 pour indiquer que l'interdiction ne s'applique pas aux cyclistes ni aux conducteurs de speed pedelecs.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord M11 • Onderbord gebruikt samen met C1, C3 en C31 om aan te duiden dat het verbod niet geldt voor fietsers en bestuurders van speedpedelecs.

Sources

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org
Userc11 • Public domain. Original SVG unmodified.

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 65. Algemene bepalingen (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 65. Dispositions générales (FR)

Cyclists and class A and P mopeds allowed.

English • Traffic sign M12 • Supplementary plate used with signs C1, C3 and C31 to indicate that the prohibition does not apply to cyclists, class A moped riders or speed pedelec riders.

Français • Signal routier M12 • Panonceau utilisé avec les signaux C1, C3 et C31 pour indiquer que l'interdiction ne s'applique pas aux cyclistes, aux conducteurs de cyclomoteurs de classe A ni aux conducteurs de speed pedelecs.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord M12 • Onderbord gebruikt samen met C1, C3 en C31 om aan te duiden dat het verbod niet geldt voor fietsers en bestuurders van bromfietsen klasse A en speedpedelecs.

Sources

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org
Userc11 • Public domain. Original SVG unmodified.

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 65. Algemene bepalingen (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 65. Dispositions générales (FR)

What should you do when a retractable bollard is rising or lowering?

Stop and wait until the installation has completed its movement. Proceed only when authorised and when the bollard is fully lowered.

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian current Road Code — Articles4–5,65.2 and68.3 — access signs and M-panels

Radar speed sign

Intersection direction sign

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 ...