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Can I leave the engine running while I pop into a shop? Can I leave the engine running in a stationary car?

In short

No. Before you get out of the car, you must take steps to prevent accidents and theft. Leaving the engine idling in a stationary vehicle is also forbidden unless it is necessary.

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This rule in 78 seconds
Video transcript

On a winter morning, you stop at the shop. You leave the engine running so the car stays warm. Not allowed: Before you get out, you must take steps against accidents and theft. Idling the engine of a parked car is forbidden too. The right way: Switch off the engine, put the handbrake on, take the key with you and lock the car. Traffic fine (1st-degree offence): On-the-spot payment: 64 € + 10,67 €; In court: 100 € – 2.500 €; If the car is stolen: You may bear the loss.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Before getting out of the vehicle, the driver must take steps to prevent accidents and to stop anyone else from misusing the vehicle.
  • If your vehicle has an anti-theft system, you must use it.
  • Running the engine while stationary (idling, vrijloop / point mort) is forbidden unless it is necessary. Repeatedly revving the engine while idling is also forbidden.
  • The law does not list the steps one by one. In practice: switch off the engine, take the key with you, lock the vehicle and put the handbrake on.
  • In winter, do not start the engine to defrost the windows and then wait indoors: you are not with the vehicle, and the engine is idling.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICETraffic offence, degree 1
Fine / payment
1st-degree offence: on-the-spot fine 64 € (+10,67 € administrative costs).

Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad

Court / prison
No prison sentence. If the case goes to court: a fine of 100 € – 2.500 €.

Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 §1-2 (Justel)

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

  • A vehicle with the engine running is easy to steal, and you may face problems if it is then used to cause damage
  • If the vehicle rolls away and hits something because you did not take these precautions, you may be liable for the damage

    Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5

  • What the insurance pays after a theft depends on your contract; if you are not sure, ask your insurer

What do these terms mean?

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?

A vehicle with no driver and the engine running can roll away, be stolen or be set in motion by a child. An idling engine produces exhaust fumes and noise for no reason, which harms the health of people in the street.

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
10 / 10 statements in an official source
Checked: 16.10.2026
Last checked
16.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 10 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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