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Road

Traffic drives on the right. Main towns are connected by toll-free motorways. Motorways are signposted with a white 'E' on a green background, major roads with an 'N' and minor roads with a 'P'. The speed limit on motorways and dual carriageways is 120kph (75mph), on single carriageways outside built-up areas is 90kph (56mph) and in built-up areas is 50kph (31mph).

A valid national driving licence is required and national stickers must be displayed. EU nationals taking their own cars to Belgium are strongly advised to obtain a Green Card. The minimum driving age is 18 years. Children under 12 are forbidden to travel in the front seat without a child restraint. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%. Driving licences will be withdrawn for at least six hours if the breathalyser test is positive.

Seat belts must be worn in the front and back of vehicles. A warning triangle must be displayed at the scene of a breakdown or accident. After paying a membership fee and subscription at the site of the breakdown, services can be obtained from the Royal Automobile Club de Belgique, Rue d'Arlon 53 (tel: (02) 287 0911/12), or Touring Club de Belgique, Rue de la Loi 44 (tel: (02) 233 2211) - the latter has a reciprocal agreement with the AA. VTB VAB Auto Assistance (tel: (03) 253 6101), has a reciprocal agreement with the RAC.

Emergency breakdown services:
Royal Automobile Club de Belgique (02) 287 0900
Touring Club de Belgique (070) 344 777
VTB VAB (070) 344 666

Routes to the city: The extensive motorway ring road around Brussels offers easy access to the city centre. Route E19 leads to Antwerp (journey time - 35 minutes), Route E40 links Brussels with Ghent (journey time - 45 minutes), and thence Ostend via Route E17 (journey time - 1 hour 20 minutes).

Driving times to Brussels: from Amsterdam is 2 hours 25 minutes; Paris 3 hours 20 minutes; Frankfurt 4 hours 15 minutes.

Coach services: Several companies provide a bus service to nearby Belgian cities - all are much slower than the equivalent train routes. De Lijn (tel: (02) 526 2828) operates buses between Brussels and the surrounding Flemish-speaking communities. TEC (tel: (010) 235 353) provides a similar service to French-speaking communities. Most buses depart from Gare du Nord, although some depart from Place Rouppe.



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