Advice for driving in Belgium

douglasgdmw · Post by **douglasgdmw** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:17 pm

Folks,

As we are popping across to Spa in the elise in Sept decided to have a look at the driving regulations for Belgium.

Looking at the AA website it says that I will need headlamp adjusters. I suspect that I can get sticky on ones but is it essential or will I get caught coming off the ferry?

I am also concerned about the GB sticker as I do not want to put a sticky label on the elise, do not have a European plate as it spoils the look of the personal number plate. Is this something else I am likely to be stopped for?

Any advice would be appreciated. Car is 2006 S2 111R in case it makes a difference for the headlights

George

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:38 pm

S2 headlights can't be adjusted by stickers I'm afraid. You neeed to take the lens out and manually adjust the beam (it's in the handbook)

I don't normally bother - but then I've never been that late in the year and always make sure I'm home before the light dims.

Mac

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:48 pm

i havent bothered with any of those, never had a problem. Last time, Robin just scribbled GB into the dirt and off we went.

greyrigg · Post by **greyrigg** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:57 pm

I wouldn't bother either.

Belgium is the only place I have been overtaken whilst doing 145mph

It was a black E55......with Monaco plates, I was only in a C270 Cdi.......flat out...

Malcolm

skellyjohn · Post by **skellyjohn** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:13 pm

Has anybody said "drive on the right" yet?

Post by **campbell** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:15 am

skellyjohn wrote:Has anybody said "drive on the right" yet?

No...but I'll say "don't go", it's a boring place and the motorway surfaces are rubbish!

Just drive around it / straight through asap and go to the Ring

Back on topic...S1 beams can be masked to avoid dazzling those foreigners...if you have headlamp covers this can still be done but you need a custom mask. However I just noted you have an S2 so forget all that!

GB sticker...I have one on my numberplate, why not just get a GB plate made but only wear it for your trip, it's not like the Belgies will care about your private reg! Or put a regliar GB sticker in your rear window behind a headrest, so no issue on bodywork. Lastly, if you apply vaseline to the bodywork before fitting the sticker, it will peel off better and the residue polishes off in seconds.

Have a great trip!

Campbell

The Hoff · Post by **The Hoff** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:34 am

I've never been bothered.. just laziness. I've been over there 16 times with the car for 10 days or more at a time in the last six years.. and they've never once bothered me, AND I only have a small Scottish flag on the back of the car.. (no GB sticker)

However, what you do have to watch out for now ,is the alarming number of speed cameras in the northern provinces of Belgium. Below the level of Brussels (i.e. French speaking Belgium) .. you can do.."you know what"... just about anywhere.. Barely any police or gatso's to be seen.
I'm off over there on Friday for a week again.

Cowan

The Hoff · Post by **The Hoff** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 9:56 am

No...but I'll say "don't go", it's a boring place and the motorway surfaces are rubbish!

Typical...

don't believe the common perception of Belgium.. Remember when Clarckson did his European tour in an E-type a few years back?.. He had the same idea about the place, but was soon convinced otherwise..
It's a great wee place if anybody takes the time to stop there.. and forget about Bloody Bruges!! It's a colourful place with many traditions . If my job wasn't here, I'd move back over there in a shot. Quality of life over there leaves Britain for dead. Ok.. it doesn't have the scenery that Scotland has, but the ardennes are still a nice place .I'll agree the motorways leave a lot to be desired..

I'm sorry I just couldn't sit back and not say anything..

Cowan

mckeann · Post by **mckeann** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:04 am

i have been there 4 times now for Spa trips. we are normally in germany first for the ring, then head to spa, and every time, we vow not to stay in belguim again.

Next time i will head from the ring in the morning, do the trackday, and make a dash for france in the evening. I thought it really was that bad.

Different strokes for different folks.

The Hoff · Post by **The Hoff** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:34 am

mckeann wrote:i have been there 4 times now for Spa trips. we are normally in germany first for the ring, then head to spa, and every time, we vow not to stay in belguim again.

Next time i will head from the ring in the morning, do the trackday, and make a dash for france in the evening. I thought it really was that bad.

Different strokes for different folks.

Granted.. but say a tourist comes to Scotland and has the misfortune to have a few bad stay overs for example.. He might probably end up drawing the same conclusions.. but we all know better not to judge it on a few bad experiences. (Scotland)

Anyway.. don't want to get embroiled in a futile argument.

Cowan

Post by **campbell** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:10 am

The Hoff wrote:
I'm sorry I just couldn't sit back and not say anything..

Cowan

That's OK! I think you are actually right, deep down I know there are some lovely spots in Belgium, we found a few on the first Stelvio trip whose names I now forget but they were chocolate box villages and really picturesque.

So yes, in short bursts you could form just as poor a view of Belgium as one might of Scotland if staying in the "wrong" place or not staying in the "right" place etc etc

I am not swayed by Clarkie's views one bit...I'll form my own opinions when the opportunity arises...but in my case Belgium has just generally been a place to pass through en route to somewhere more exciting...I guess that's a better way to put it!

cheers

Campbell

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:35 am

Beware of the Belgians driving

, quite entertaining at times. Saying that, probably no worse than anywhere else, but I do have fond memories of it.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:45 am

I saw belgium at 72.8mph form rotterdam to germany. Flat and roads were ok.

Thats as fast as the van would go....

The Hoff · Post by **The Hoff** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 12:20 pm

campbell wrote:
The Hoff wrote:
I'm sorry I just couldn't sit back and not say anything..

Cowan
That's OK! I think you are actually right, deep down I know there are some lovely spots in Belgium, we found a few on the first Stelvio trip whose names I now forget but they were chocolate box villages and really picturesque.

So yes, in short bursts you could form just as poor a view of Belgium as one might of Scotland if staying in the "wrong" place or not staying in the "right" place etc etc

I am not swayed by Clarkie's views one bit...I'll form my own opinions when the opportunity arises...but in my case Belgium has just generally been a place to pass through en route to somewhere more exciting...I guess that's a better way to put it!

cheers

Campbell

I appreciate that many people just don't know anything about Belgium, and I can easily understand that many will be sceptical about the place.
I just feel that having been brought up in Belgium for over 20years and have lived and breathed the place, (went to Flemish primary and secondary school there before going to uni in Holland..and did everything in Flemish i.e. dutch and French).
I tend to feel the need to defend it for the right reasons, as you would do Scotland.

I'm not trying to have a go at any particular person or change anybody's view or opinion. I just think whoever wants to go there for the first time ,should be given a fair insight into what they may experience.

cheers,

Cowan

douglasgdmw · Post by **douglasgdmw** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 7:11 pm

Folks,

Thanks for all the advice on Belgium (both positive and negative).

We will not bother with getting the lights sorted on the Elise, going with my mate in his Evo so will just make him lead as should have not probs with headlight adjusters on the Evo.

May just get a rear GB (euro compliant) number plate for the back of the car and remove it when I get back .

Cheers
DMW