Australia licence 
BelgiumCan you drive in Belgium with an Australia license?
Short answer: to drive in Belgium with an Australia license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your Australia license.
Yes — to drive in Belgium on an Australia licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your Australia licence. Belgium expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.
Australian drivers should carry an International Driving Permit (1949 Convention) alongside their state licence when driving abroad. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.
What driving in Belgium is like
The winding roads of the Ardennes around Bouillon, La Roche-en-Ardenne and the High Fens are the country's classic scenic drive. For most visitors the real draw is the freedom to reach places trains and tours don't, on your own schedule, with the open road generally capped around 120 km/h motorways. Getting behind the wheel is the easy part: your International Driving Permit is a certified translation of your Australia licence, carried alongside it, so rental staff and officials in Belgium can read your credentials at a glance.
What applies to Australia licence holders in Belgium
| Australia licence in Belgium | |
|---|---|
| Do you need an IDP? | Yes — carry one alongside your licence |
| IDP format required | 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna |
| Your Australia licence script | Roman (Latin) alphabet |
| Australia is party to | 1949 Geneva |
| Drives on the | Right-hand side |
| Minimum driving age | 18 |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Top speed limit | 120 km/h motorways |
| Currency | EUR |
Driving rules in Belgium you should know
- Priority to the right at unmarked junctions.
- Reflective vest and warning triangle required.
- 0.05% alcohol limit.
- Low-emission zones in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent.
Local driving facts in Belgium
Emergency number: 112 (112 also connects from most mobiles). Typical maximum for cars on the fastest road class: 120 km/h motorways. Posted limits always take precedence.
Tolls & road charges in Belgium
There are no motorway tolls for cars; the only paid road is the Liefkenshoektunnel near Antwerp (around 6 euros). However, Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent operate Low Emission Zones where foreign and rental cars must be registered online before entry or face fines of roughly 150-350 euros.
Parking in Belgium
Cities use paid meter/app zones plus blue zones where a cardboard parking disc gives free time-limited parking (commonly 2 hours); pay via apps like 4411, Seety or Parking.brussels. Overstaying or no disc in a blue zone costs about 37 euros per period.
Penalties & enforcement in Belgium
Police can impose immediate fines on non-residents (paid on the spot for a receipt, otherwise you go to court), with speeding starting around 53 euros and phone/seatbelt offences over 100 euros; camera fines on rental cars are billed to the hirer after the agency hands over your details.
If you have an accident in Belgium
Dial 112 for police/ambulance. Complete the European Accident Statement (constat amiable) with the other driver - the Belgian insurers' Crashform app can file it electronically - and call police if there are injuries, disputes or a foreign/uninsured vehicle.
City driving in Belgium
Brussels' Low Emission Zone covers all 19 municipalities 24/7, and you must register a foreign or rental plate online beforehand; the city is also heavily one-way with the chaotic, lane-free Schuman and Montgomery roundabouts catching out visitors.
Winter driving in Belgium
No mandatory winter-tyre law; tyres are a free choice, though winter or all-season tyres are advised on Ardennes routes in snow. If snow chains are fitted they may only be used on snow-covered roads.
Fuel in Belgium
Stations sell 95 (E10) and 98 unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG; most are self-service with card-only automated pumps common after hours, and prices run roughly 1.60-1.80 euros per litre.
Sources: theaa.com, parking.brussels, 112.be, eccbelgium.be