Living and working in Brussels: Buying a car and driving in brussels

For getting around, a car is the basic need. As an expatriate, you may need to go through a few extra hoops to get your license if you’re a non EU citizen, but the process is pretty simple.

Buying a car

Buying a car in Belgium is much like buying a car anywhere.

• Car financing is available from credit providers.
• Third party insurance is obligatory, but you can upgrade to full cover through the insurers.

There are some extra charges and several details about car ownership which some foreigners may not understand:

Taxes

Circulation tax: Single payment made on purchase of a new or used car. Charges are calculated on the power of the engine.

Registration tax: Tax for license plate. Rear license plate is sent by mail. The front license plate is paid for at owner’s expense.

Road tax: Annual payment calculated on power of cars.

Driving licenses for non EU Citizens:

Belgium requires an International Driving license for foreigners, (you can get these in your home country) and the common advice is that foreign residents should get a Belgian driving license from the commune.

Minimum driving age: 18, regardless of holding a license in another country.

Parking

Paid parking has two basic methods, and some foreigners will be unfamiliar with these.

Blue zones: Blue zone parking is paid for using a special disk available from garages and tobacconists. The disk shows the time of arrival.

Parking meters: Parking meter time is paid for using a machine, and the ticket must be displayed clearly in the front window. The ticket shows hours of parking.

Parking hazards:

Road signs: Look out for temporary road signs, and learn to understand them. If you park in the wrong place, your car will get towed away.

Trams and bus stops: Do not park closer than 15m to either.

Driving in Belgium

All countries have different driving styles and rules. Paris is a case in point, where foreigners try to figure out what the French drivers are doing. Belgium is considered to be a nation of aggressive drivers, but in practice local drivers are usually thought of as strange by foreigners who don’t know the culture.

Note: Because of the differences in driving culture and customs, it may be worth your while to take formal driving lessons, and get your Belgian license in the process.

Road signs:

Languages: Road signs in Belgium are usually in Dutch in the northern Flanders area and in French in the southern regions.

Remember the 'Priority Right' rule: Belgium has some road rules which are not common elsewhere. Foreigners are strongly advised to learn the 'priority right' rules before driving. 'Priority right' signs are inverted 'Yield' signs with a red 'X' in the middle.

Speed limits:

30-50kph in built up areas,
70-90kph outside built up areas
120kph on freeways and four lane highways

Drive safe, and enjoy the country and what it has to offer.