The highway system in Belgium is convenient and free, but it is not one of the best in Europe.
On some roads there is no uniformity in signage, and the fact that the country has two official languages, French and Dutch, can be confusing at times, and affect the ability to navigate the roads.
For example, the city of Antwerp is called that in Flanders (the Dutch-speaking part), while in French-speaking Wallonia it is called Anvers. Liege in French is Luik in Flemish.
Another important example is the "stop" sign: in French the sign will be written peage while in Flemish it will be tol.
Confused? Don't worry, careful use of Google and navigation apps will help you find your way around, and of course the representatives of the rental company will be happy to help you with any questions about this.
◾ Right of way
Please note that at intersections traffic coming from the right has the right to go forward, unless otherwise specified.
◾ Fuel and lighting
The fuels that you can find in Belgium are unleaded gasoline 95 and 98 octane, diesel and LPG. Regarding the usage of car lighting, be sure to turn on lights in conditions of fog, snow or limited visibility.
◾ Wearing seat belts
seat belts is mandatory in the front and back.
◾ Car rental in Charleroi
Charleroi is the largest city in the province of Valonia.
It is located about 46 km from Brussels and some of the flights departing from Belgium today land directly at Charleroi airport, therefore renting a car in Charleroi provides an easy and convenient solution to get to Brussels and continue a trip around Belgium.
◾ Travelling outside of Belgium with the rented car
It is possible to travel from Belgium to neighboring countries such as the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg. Be sure to mark the countries to which you wish to travel to already when you start booking the car on our website (or telling our representative if you are making the booking via phone), so you will receive written confirmation from the supplier and will be covered in terms of insurance and road service.
Please note that in some countries in Europe, a special sticker is required for driving on highways, which you can purchase in kiosks at the borders.
The responsibility of purchasing the sticker is the renter's alone, so make sure to stick it according to the local guided and make sure if a sticker is needed whenever you exit a country and enter another.
Driving in Belgium during winter
Planning a winter trip to Belgium? Here are some important tips for you:
◾ Winter tires and snow chains
Please note that many countries have different winter laws that sometimes require driving with winter tires and/or snow chains depending on the road conditions. A vehicle with summer tires in the winter season is subject to fines and even immediate shutdown. It is recommended to order snow chains in advance and in any case make sure before leaving the rental station that you know how to put them on and that they fit your vehicle's tires.
We recommend everyone who goes on winter vacations in Belgium to check in advance the relevant laws for the destination country and for each country to which they plan to go with the rental car. You can of course consult our team with any question.
Antifreeze liquid
at very low temperatures, the fuel in the tank may freeze. Therefore, we recommend parking the vehicle in a covered parking lot and/or adding antifreeze liquid to the fuel tank when refueling (a special substance that prevents freezing), which can be purchased at gas stations if necessary.
For more tips regarding renting a car during wintertime click here
and for important tips regarding renting a car abroad click here
Booking a car in Belgium with Ofran will allow you to enjoy the benefits of traveling with a rental car in Belgium, exploring all the sites and attractions that interest you and the freedom to do so according to your schedule.
Also, you'll be able to choose from a wide range of car groups the most suitable car for your vacation in an easy and comfortable process and with great prices.
Ofran wishes you a safe and pleasant trip with your rental car in Belgium