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NOT ALLOWED All of Belgium Depends on the municipality

Can I park briefly on the pavement, on a cycle path or in front of a garage?

In short

No. Parking on the pavement or on a cycle path is a 2nd-degree offence. Parking in front of a garage or house entrance is also forbidden; it makes no difference if it is only for a short time.

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This rule in 54 seconds
Video transcript

You have a two-minute errand. The pavement and the garage entrance are free. Not allowed: Parking on the pavement, a cycle path or in front of a garage is forbidden. Briefly makes no difference. The right way: Park in a parking space. A car that blocks the way can be towed. Fine notice (1st & 2nd degree): Pavement, cycle path: 128 € + 10,67 €; In front of a garage: 64 € + 10,67 €; Also: Car can be towed.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Stopping and parking on the pavement (trottoir / trottoir) or on a cycle path (fietspad / piste cyclable) is forbidden, unless a sign or road marking clearly allows it. Also, do not stop within 5 m of the point where cyclists or moped riders have to leave the cycle path and join the road. Exception: a motorcycle may be parked off the carriageway (including on the pavement) as long as it does not obstruct traffic or pedestrians (art. 23.4); municipal rules may differ.
  • Do not park in front of the entrance to a house or garage (inrit / entrée carrossable). The same rule applies to your own driveway.
  • The only exception: if a vehicle's number plate is clearly displayed above the entrance, that vehicle may park in front of it.
  • If pedestrians use the verge at the side of the road, leave them a space at least 1,5 m wide.
  • Do not park less than 1 m in front of or behind another vehicle, and do not stop another vehicle from getting out.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICETraffic offence, degree 2
Fine / payment
Pavement and cycle path: 2nd-degree offence, on-the-spot fine 128 € (+10,67 € administrative costs). In front of a garage entrance: 1st-degree offence, 64 € (+10,67 €). Instead, the municipality may impose a municipal administrative fine (GAS / SAC fine).

Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005, art. 2, 19° (Justel)Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 §2 (Justel)

Court / prison
No prison sentence. If the case goes to court: a fine of 100 € – 2.500 € for a 1st-degree offence and 200 € – 2.500 € for a 2nd-degree offence.

Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad

What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 2: On-the-spot payment €128; in court €200 – €2,500; the court may suspend the licence for 8 days – 5 years. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

  • If the vehicle blocks the road or an entrance, the police can have it towed away; you pay the towing and storage costs

    Legal basis:KB 1.12.1975, art. 4.4 (Justel)

  • For a 2nd-degree offence, the court can impose a driving ban of 8 days to 5 years

    Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad

  • Parking on the pavement can force pedestrians into the road and cause an accident; if there is damage, you may be held liable

    Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5

What do these terms mean?

GAS fine
An administrative fine imposed by the municipality itself. It is not a criminal sentence. The maximum is €500 for adults and €175 for minors. You can appeal within 1 month to the police court (the youth court for minors).
On-the-spot payment
A fixed amount offered by the police. If you pay, the case is closed and does not go to court. If not, the prosecutor takes over; the amount can rise and the case can go to court.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

The pavement is for pedestrians, prams, wheelchairs and older people. A vehicle on the cycle path forces cyclists into the traffic. Parking in front of an entrance stops the owner from getting their vehicle out.

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
16 / 16 statements in an official source
Checked: 13.10.2026
Last checked
13.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 16 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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