Can an American Drive in Belgium? — Yes, on Your US Licence (IDP Advised)

Flying into Brussels with a US licence is one of the easier starts to a European road trip. Belgium keeps to the right, as at home, and recognises American licences outright. What catches US drivers is local habit: unmarked junctions where the car on the right goes first, lower alcohol limits and limits that change at regional borders.

The licence verdict

Belgium’s federal mobility service says a visitor may drive on a valid non-EU national licence that Belgium recognises, and its list of recognised licences includes the United States. No IDP is required by Belgian rules. Some rental firms still ask for one, so check the booking; if they do, AAA issues it before you travel. Carry the licence and your passport. The Driving Permit Checker covers neighbouring countries.

Priority to the right

At junctions with no signs or signals, traffic from the right has priority, even from a minor-looking side street. It is the rule American drivers find least intuitive, and it applies in towns and in the countryside.

Limits change by region

Towns are 50 km/h, and 30 is the default in Brussels. Outside towns the default is 70 km/h in Flanders and 90 in Wallonia, and motorways run at 120. Up to 10 km/h over costs EUR 58, with more for each extra km/h; the Speeding Fine Calculator gives a rough figure.

Alcohol and city zones

The limit is 0.05%, against 0.08% in most US states. Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp run low-emission zones, and foreign-registered cars must be registered before entry. The car must carry a warning triangle, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit. Emergencies: 112. Read more in the Belgium driving guide.

Sources

• SPF Mobilité et Transports, recognised licences from non-EU countries (United States listed): mobilit.belgium.be
• SPF Mobilité et Transports, driving with a foreign licence (valid recognised non-EU licence or international permit): mobilit.belgium.be
• SPF Mobilité et Transports, fines and immediate payments (EUR 58 for the first 10 km/h): mobilit.belgium.be
• Belgian federal road safety site, speed limits by region: codedelaroute.be
• Belgian road code (royal decree of 1 December 1975), art. 12.3.1 (priority to the right) and art. 81.2 (triangle, extinguisher, first-aid kit): codedelaroute.be
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Belgium (LEZ registration in Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp): gov.uk
• WHO Global status report on road safety 2023, Belgium and United States profiles (0.05 g/dl; 0.08 g/dl): who.int, who.int