Belgium Traffic Fines

Belgium Traffic Fines

You obviously do not intend to, but what if you do violate the traffic rules in Belgium? What about the fine?

In Belgium, traffic fines are divided into four degrees. Usually you can simply pay on the spot at a reduced rate.

Traffic violations in Belgium

The amounts are indications and may in practice be higher or lower, depending on the circumstances under which the traffic violation was committed.

Fine handling in Belgium

• In Belgium, traffic offenses are divided into four degrees, with the first degree comprising the lightest offenses and the fourth degree the most serious.
• The minimum fine for a first degree violation is € 58, for the second degree € 116, the third degree € 165 and € 473 for a fourth degree violation.
• When several violations are detected at the same time, the total amount may not exceed € 866. This applies to violations that can be settled with immediate collection.
• If you have committed an offense, you will be offered an immediate collection by the police. If it is not paid, an ‘amicable settlement’ will follow. If it is not paid either, you will be summoned to appear in court. You will always be summoned for a violation of the fourth degree.
• The fine can be paid by bank transfer or via Verkeersboetes.be. Once you have paid, an objection / appeal is no longer possible.
• In the event of an offense detected by an automatic traffic control, the ticket is sent to the home address, usually with a questionnaire on which your ‘own version of the truth’ of the offense can also be indicated.
• You will always be summoned for a violation of the fourth category. The judge can not only impose a higher fine, but also a prison sentence. In addition, the court can impose a driving disqualification.
• In case of a summons to a court hearing, it is not compulsory to appear in person, but this is advisable. A lawyer can also act as a representative.
• A driver disqualification can vary from 8 days to 5 years.

Driver’s license points in Belgium

• Belgium does not have a penalty point system for traffic offenses.

Deposit

• Someone who is arrested and does not want to pay the fine must pay a deposit. This deposit is equal to the fine to be paid.
  Have a note that you pay a deposit. Otherwise it can be seen as payment of the fine and objection / appeal is no longer possible.
• In the event of non-payment, a vehicle will be detained for 96 hours, unless the deposit plus storage costs is paid within that period. If payment is not made within 96 hours, the vehicle can be confiscated.

Arrestment and traffic fines in Belgium

• In the event of an arrest, for example after a traffic accident, the embassy can provide information about the case law and further course of events.

Traffic fines and penalty rates in Belgium

• The amounts mentioned are indications and may in practice be higher or lower, depending on the circumstances under which the traffic violation was committed.
• A fine of up to € 866 can be imposed on foreigners.

Speeding violation

• Within the vity limits, 30 km / h zone, school environment and residential area
  • Exceeding up to 10 km / h: from € 53.
  • Exceeding 11 to 30 km / h: from € 53 and € 11 per kilometer exceeded and possible disqualification from driving for 8 days up to a maximum of 5 years. In case of a lawsuit: € 80-4,000.
  • Exceeding more than 30 km / h: always a lawsuit, € 80-4,000 and a disqualification from driving for 8 days up to a maximum of 5 years.

• Outside the city limits
  • Exceeding up to 10 km / h: from € 53.
  • Exceeding 10 to 40 km / h: from € 53 and € 6 per kilometer exceeded and a possible disqualification of the driving license from 8 days to a maximum of 5 years.
  • Exceeding 40 km / h: always a lawsuit, € 80-4,000 and a disqualification of the driving license from 8 days to a maximum of 5 years.

Driving through a red light

• From € 174 and possibly a disqualification from driving; driving through orange light from € 116.

Violation of overtaking ban

• From € 174.

Crossing the solid line

• From € 174.

Parking violation

• From € 58.

Not giving way

• From € 116 and possibly driving disqualification from 8 days to a maximum of 5 years.

Driving without a seat belt

• From € 116.
• Transport of children without child safety equipment: from € 174.

Use cell phone while driving

• From € 116.

Not using a safety vest

• From € 58.

Driving under the influence (alcohol)

• From 0.5 ‰ to 0.8 ‰: from € 179 and a driving ban of 3 hours.
• From 0.8 ‰ to 1.0 ‰: € 420 and a driving ban for 6 hours and possibly a 15-day driving ban.
• From 1.0 ‰ to 1.2 ‰: € 578 and a driving ban for 6 hours and possibly a 15-day driving ban.
• More than 1.2 ‰: € 1,260. If summoned by the public prosecutor: € 1,600-16,000 and / or a disqualification from driving from 8 days to 5 years.

Driving under the influence of drugs

• Immediate disqualification from driving for 15 days. If summoned by the public prosecutor: € 3,000-40,000 and a driving disqualification from 3 months to 5 years.

Violation of the environmental zone

• The rules vary by city, fines can be as high as € 350.

Not ‘zipping’ the right way

• From € 58.

Here you will find more information about Belgium.