Will I get a fine if I drive through on amber or just as the light turns red?
In short
Yes. Crossing the stop line on red is a 3rd-degree offence. Driving through on amber when you could have stopped safely is a 2nd-degree offence. Junctions are monitored by cameras.
Video transcript
You are approaching a junction. The light turns amber. Not allowed: Crossing the stop line on red is a 3rd-degree offence. Cameras watch the junctions. The right way: If you can stop safely on amber, stop. Amber does not mean speed up. Fine notice (2nd & 3rd degree): Running a red light: 191 € + 10,67 €; Amber, when you could stop: 128 € + 10,67 €; At court: ≤ 5.000 €, possible ban.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Do not cross the stop line when the light is red.
- At an amber light, you must stop if you can do so safely. Amber does not mean "speed up".
- Many junctions have red-light cameras. The fine is sent to your address.
- When you turn, you must also give way to pedestrians and cyclists who have a green light.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Red: 191 €; amber: 128 € (+ 10,67 € administrative fee on both)
Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad
- Court / prison
- Red: at the police court, a fine of 300 € – 5.000 € (surcharge multipliers included) and a driving ban of 8 days – 5 years. Amber: at the police court, 200 € – 2.500 €. In a fatal accident, you risk a heavy prison sentence. Ask a lawyer about the level of the penalty.
Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad
What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 3: On-the-spot payment €191; in court €300 – €5,000; the court may suspend the licence for 8 days – 5 years. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- If you drive through a red light and have had your licence for less than 2 years, the court must give you a driving ban (this is not compulsory for an amber-light offence)
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 36, 34 §1, 29 §4 (Justel)
- In an accident, the driver who went through on red is usually found at fault and pays compensation
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5, 6.6 §1wegcode.be
- If you are convicted again within three years, the court fine is doubled.
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 36, 34 §1, 29 §4 (Justel)
What do these terms mean?
- Police court
- The court for traffic offences and appeals against GAS fines. Despite the name, it is not part of the police; an independent judge decides.
Why does this rule exist?
A car that drives through on red hits pedestrians and cyclists who start on green. These accidents often cause serious injuries or death.
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
- 9 / 9 statements in an official source
- Checked: 22.10.2026
- Last checked
- 22.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 9 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Kırmızı 3. derece
KB 30 september 2005 overtredingen per graad, art. 3, 36° (Justel) - Found in an official source
Sarıda güvenle durabilecekken geçmek 2. derece
KB 30 september 2005 overtredingen per graad, art. 2, 28° (Justel) - Found in an official source
Dönüşte yeşilde geçen yaya/bisikletliye yol ver
KB 1 december 1975 (Verkeersreglement), art. 19.4–19.5, 40.4.1 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Kırmızı 191 €, sarı 128 € (+10,67 €)
wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad (derece ve anında ödeme tutarları Justel KB 30.9.2005 ve KB 19.4.2014 ile karşılaştırıldı, 16.10.2026; 10,67 €, uzlaşma ve mahkeme tutarları bekliyor) - Found in an official source
Kırmızı 300–5.000 € + 8 gün–5 yıl men; sarı 200–2.500 €
wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad (derece ve anında ödeme tutarları Justel KB 30.9.2005 ve KB 19.4.2014 ile karşılaştırıldı, 16.10.2026; 10,67 €, uzlaşma ve mahkeme tutarları bekliyor) - Found in an official source
Yeni sürücüde (2 yıldan az) zorunlu men yalnız kırmızı ışıkta (3. derece); sarıda (2. derece) değil
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 36, 34 §1, 29 §4 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Üç yıl içinde tekrar mahkûmiyette mahkemedeki para cezası iki katına çıkar
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 36, 34 §1, 29 §4 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Kırmızıda geçmek kural ihlalidir = kusur; kusurlu zararı öder
BW Boek 6, art. 6.5, 6.6 §1 - Found in an official source
Abartı taraması (2026-10-22): Kural ihlali kusurdur, ama tazminat ödemek için kusurun kazaya yol açması gerekir ve kusur paylaştırılabilir. 'Kusurlu sayılır ve tazminat öder' kesin; aynı gruptaki devamlı çizgi kartı doğru biçimde 'çoğu zaman' diyor.
Kaynak alıntısıyla karşılaştırma (abartı taraması)
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?