Can I look at my phone while I wait at a red light?
In short
No. You must not hold or use your phone while driving, not even at a red light or in a traffic jam. This is a 3rd-degree offence and your licence can be taken away for 15 days.
Video transcript
You are waiting at a red light. Your phone buzzes. Not allowed: Waiting at a red light still counts as driving. Do not pick up your phone. The right way: Phone in a holder, hands off. If it is important, park and switch off the engine. Fine notice (3rd-degree offence): Immediate payment: 191 € + 10,67 € costs; At court: 300 € – 5.000 €; Licence withdrawn: possibly 15 days.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- While driving, you must not hold your phone, type messages or touch the screen.
- Waiting at a red light or in a traffic jam counts as "driving". The ban applies there too.
- You may only use your phone hands-free, in a holder fixed to the car (for example with voice commands or the car's own system).
- For an important call or message, park somewhere safe and switch off the engine.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- 191 € (+ 10,67 € administrative fee)
Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 2°/2 (Justel)wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad
- Court / prison
- At the police court: a fine of 300 € – 5.000 € (surcharge multipliers included) and a driving ban of 8 days – 5 years (compulsory if you have had your licence for less than 2 years).
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
- The public prosecutor can take your licence away immediately for 15 days; this practice differs between prosecution districts
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 55 §1 5°, 56 1° (Justel)
- If you have had your licence for less than 2 years, the court must give you a driving ban
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 38 §5, 38 §1 3°
- In a fatal accident, you risk a heavy prison sentence. Ask a lawyer about the level of the penalty.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 107, 107/1
- 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 driver looking at a screen drives "blind" for a few seconds. In that time the car travels dozens of metres. The driver does not see a car that suddenly stops in front of you or a child who steps into the road.
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: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 10 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Sürüşte telefonu elde tutmak/kullanmak yasak
KB 1 december 1975 (Verkeersreglement), art. 8.4 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Kırmızı ışıkta/trafikte beklemek de yasak kapsamında
KB 1 december 1975 (Verkeersreglement), art. 8.4 + 2.22 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yalnız araca sabit tutucuda kullanılabilir
KB 1 december 1975 (Verkeersreglement), art. 8.4 (Justel) - Found in an official source
3. derece
KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 2°/2 (Justel) - Found in an official source
191 € + 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
300–5.000 €, 8 gün–5 yıl men (yeni sürücüde zorunlu)
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) - Corrected according to the source
Ehliyete 15 gün el konabilir
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 55 §1 5°, 56 1° (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
B ehliyeti 2 yıldan yeni sürücüde, men gerektirebilen ihlalde (telefon = 3. derece) mahkeme men vermek zorunda
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 38 §5, 38 §1 3° - Found in an official source
Trafikte ölüme sebebiyet seviye 3; elde telefonla sürerken verzwaarde: seviye 4
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 107, 107/1
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?