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When a lane closes, where should I merge, and how do I make way for an ambulance?

In short

When traffic is very slow and a lane closes, you merge in turn (like a zip) just before the narrowing. On roads with two or more lanes, when traffic is jammed, you must make an emergency corridor for ambulances and fire engines.

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This rule in 58 seconds
Video transcript

The right lane ahead of you is closing. Traffic is slow. Required: Merge in turn right before the narrowing, like a zip. Merging early is against the rules. The right way: Let in the car whose turn it is. In a jam, open a corridor for the ambulance. Fine notice (1st & 3rd degree): Not zip merging: 64 €; No rescue corridor: 64 €; Not yielding to a siren: 191 €.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Zip merging (ritsen / tirette): if traffic is very slow, drivers in the closing lane may only merge just before the narrowing, taking turns. Merging early is against the rules.
  • Drivers in the open lane must let vehicles from the closing lane in, one at a time.
  • Emergency corridor (reddingsstrook / corridor de secours): on a road with two or more lanes, when traffic is jammed, vehicles in the far-left lane move to the left and those in the other lanes move to the right, leaving a gap in the middle.
  • The emergency corridor also applies in built-up areas.
  • Always give way to a vehicle with a siren and a blue light.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICETraffic offence, degree 1
Fine / payment
Failing to zip merge or to form an emergency corridor: 64 €; failing to give way to a vehicle with its siren on (3rd degree): 191 € (+ 10,67 € administrative fee)

Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 21° (Justel)

Court / prison
If it goes to court: for a 1st-degree offence, a fine of 100 € – 2.500 €. For failing to give way to a vehicle with its siren on (3rd degree), a fine of 300 € – 5.000 € and a driving ban of 8 days – 5 years are possible.

Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad

What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 1: On-the-spot payment €64; in court €100 – €2,500. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

Why does this rule exist?

Zip merging keeps traffic moving fairly and smoothly. With an emergency corridor, minutes save lives: ambulances and fire engines can only reach an accident quickly if the way is open.

Check your own situationThe right decision in trafficMake the right decision in 10 situations: a car from the right, a pedestrian crossing, an ambulance, a wedding convoy.

Where can you go?

  • Municipal driving licence serviceExchanging a foreign driving licence and other licence matters
  • Free first-line legal adviceIf you have been summoned to the police court (juridische eerstelijnsbijstand / aide juridique de première ligne)
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
12 / 12 statements in an official source
Checked: 02.11.2026
Last checked
22.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 12 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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