I scratched a parked car and nobody saw. Can I just drive off?
In short
No. If you know you were involved in an accident, leaving so that the facts cannot be established is a criminal offence (vluchtmisdrijf / délit de fuite), even if the accident was not your fault. If the owner is not there, leave your name and address or report it to the police.
Video transcript
Pulling out of a parking space, you scratch the car next to you. Nobody saw. Not allowed: Leaving when you know you were in an accident is a crime. Even if it was not your fault. The right way: If the owner is not there, leave your name and address; also tell the owner or the police straight away. If you drive off: Property damage only: about 2.000 € – 20.000 €; If someone is injured: 6 months – 3 years prison; Also: Possible driving ban.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- A driver involved in an accident who drives off commits a criminal offence. This applies even if the accident was not your fault.
- If there is only damage to property, stay at the scene and fill in the accident report together. If you cannot agree, wait for the police.
- If the owner of the damaged car is not there, leave your name and address at the scene. In any case, pass this information on to them or to the police as soon as possible.
- If someone is injured, help them and stay until the police arrive. You may leave briefly to call for help, but first give your name and address to someone at the scene.
- If the police cannot come within a reasonable time, report an accident with injuries to the police within 24 hours at the latest.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Leaving the scene of an accident with only property damage: level 1. The law sets a fine of 1.600 € – 16.000 €; with surcharges, about 2.000 € – 20.000 €.
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §1 (Justel)Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §1 + Wet 16.3.2026 (opdeciemen) (Justel)
- Court / prison
- Leaving the scene of an accident with injuries is level 2 (6 months – 3 years in prison or an alternative penalty) and carries a driving ban of at least 3 months. If someone dies, it is level 3 (3 – 5 years). The fine set by law is 3.200 € – 40.000 €. A repeat offence within 3 years is level 3.
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §2, §3 (Justel)FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- Even where there is only property damage, the judge can impose a driving ban of 8 days – 5 years
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 38 §1, 5° (Justel)
- After an accident causing injury or death, you must pass a theory test, a practical test and a psychological assessment to get your licence back
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §2, laatste lid (Justel)
- A conviction can also have consequences in other areas (for example, a criminal record); ask for free initial legal advice
Legal basis:Sv. art. 590, 1°
What do these terms mean?
- Criminal record
- The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.
Why does this rule exist?
A driver who flees may leave an injured person without help, and the victim does not know who to claim compensation from. The rule makes sure responsibility is established fairly after an accident.
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: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 12 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Kazaya karıştığını bilerek tespitten kaçmak suç; kusur olmasa bile
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §1 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Maddi hasarda yerinde kalıp tespit; anlaşma yoksa yetkiliyi beklemek
Verkeersreglement art. 52.2, 2° (Justel) - Found in an official source
Zarar gören yoksa ad ve adres bırakılır ve en kısa sürede iletilir
Verkeersreglement art. 52.2, lid 2 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yaralıya yardım; polise kadar kalma; yardım için ad/adres verip kısa ayrılma
Verkeersreglement art. 52.3 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yetkili gelemezse 24 saat içinde bildirim (yaralanmalı kaza)
Verkeersreglement art. 52.3, lid 2 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Art. 33 §1: seviye 1, 1.600–16.000 €
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §1 (Justel) - Found in an official source
×1,25 → yaklaşık 2.000–20.000 €
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §1 + Wet 16.3.2026 (opdeciemen) (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yaralanma: seviye 2 + en az 3 ay men; ölüm: seviye 3; para 3.200–40.000 €; tekrar seviye 3
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §2, §3 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Seviye 2 = 6 ay–3 yıl; seviye 3 = 3–5 yıl hapis
FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek - Found in an official source
Art. 33 §1'de hâkim men verebilir (8 gün–5 yıl)
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 38 §1, 5° (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yaralanmalı/ölümlü kaçmada ehliyet için teori, pratik, psikolojik sınav
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 33 §2, laatste lid (Justel) - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet adli sicile kaydedilir
Sv. art. 590, 1°
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?