Road markings on the roadway are binding, just like traffic signs, and determine which lane you must follow. The main rule: you must never cross a continuous white line, and doing so incorrectly counts as a serious mistake of 5 points on the exam.
White Lines and Their Meaning
Continuous white line: you must never cross this line to overtake or change lanes. If it separates two lanes, you must not drive to the left of it either.
Broken white line: you may cross this line to overtake, turn left, reverse, or change lanes, provided you signal your direction and yield the right of way.
Combined lines: if a continuous and a broken line are next to each other, you only consider the line on your side. If that line is broken, you may pass.
Arrows on the Road Surface
Lane change arrows indicate the lane you must follow to drive in a certain direction. Once you are in that lane, you must follow the direction of the arrow. If a continuous line begins between the lanes, you can no longer change at the last moment.
Shark Teeth
Shark teeth on the roadway always mean that you must yield the right of way to the intersecting road. They are almost always combined with traffic sign B1 (the inverted triangle).
The Checkerboard Marking
A checkerboard marking consists of white squares in a checkerboard pattern. It delineates a special traversable lane for buses and trams, or the beginning, end, or connection of such a lane. Stopping and parking on this marking is prohibited. As another driver, you may only cross such a lane at an intersection, to reach or leave an adjacent property, or to drive around an obstacle.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, crossing is prohibited. With a combined line, only the line on your side counts.
Yielding to the intersecting road, usually together with sign B1.
No, that is a common mistake. The checkerboard marking is associated with a bus or tram lane. Keeping an intersection clear follows from the rules of conduct, not from this marking.
Pass the road markings in one go?
The exam tests you with realistic images of complex intersections. Train with the eTheory method and the video lessons from Mathieu.
Choose your packageRead more: Traffic signs · Priority rules · Overtaking in Belgium
Last updated: June 2026 · Content reviewed by Mathieu, instructor · Source: the Belgian Highway Code