Speeding fine
Summons before the police court
Your speeding offence: what do you risk?
Belgian law is strict when it comes to speeding offences. Even if no accident occurred, the police or the public prosecutor can impose a fine and possibly a driving ban. How severe the penalty is depends on where the offence took place and by how many km/h you exceeded the speed limit.
The fine
The minimum fine is €53, but it increases as your speeding becomes more serious.
In a built-up area, 30 km/h zone or school zone, the threshold is lower.
+30 km/h or more → risk of being summoned and a possible driving ban.
On motorways or outside built-up areas:
+40 km/h or more → a summons before the police court is almost certain.
In such cases, the fine can rise to €4,000, increased by statutory surcharges (so in practice a multiple of that amount).
Driving ban
The police court can impose a driving ban from 8 days up to 5 years.
This is mandatory in case of:
more than 40 km/h too fast outside built-up areas, or
more than 30 km/h too fast in a 30 km/h zone, school zone or built-up area.
In other cases, the judge decides at his or her discretion, taking your personal situation into account.
A lawyer can plead to avoid a driving ban or to limit its duration.
Alcohol in traffic
Drinking and driving? Read here what you need to know about drunk driving and how to get quick legal advice.
Driver liability and defence
Have you been involved in a traffic accident in which someone was injured? In that case, you may be prosecuted for a traffic offence causing bodily harm. Such a situation creates a great deal of uncertainty:
Property damage
In a traffic accident with no injuries, we speak of property damage – damage to vehicles, infrastructure or personal belongings.
Drugs
Driving under the influence of drugs is considered by law a fourth-degree traffic violation.
Technical inspection
Driving without a valid technical inspection
Driving without a driver's license
Driving without a license is considered a fourth-degree serious traffic violation in Belgium. The law considers this a direct threat to road safety.
Driving during a driving ban
Driving while banned is one of the most serious traffic violations in Belgium. The law considers this a fourth-degree felony, as you knowingly ignore a decision by a judge or prosecutor.
Driver message
When a vehicle is registered in the name of a company or organization and a traffic violation is detected (e.g., speeding, running a red light, using a mobile phone, etc.), the company's legal representative is obligated to report the driver's identity to the authorities.
Driving through a red light
Driving through a red light may seem like a minor offense at first glance, but legally it is a serious offense of the third degree.
Cell phone use while driving
Using a mobile phone while driving is one of the most commonly recorded traffic violations in Belgium.
Road checks
For minor speeding violations, the penalty is imposed by the municipality, not the police or the public prosecutor's office, through average speed checks.
Victim of accident
Hit and run
Involved in a hit-and-run? Discover what you need to know about driving away after an accident and how to get quick legal advice.