Parking Disc: How to Use It

The parking disc must be used in "blue zones", i.e. in time-limited parking areas. Do you know how to use it correctly?

Where is the parking disc compulsory?

• In blue zones (areas with parking spaces of limited duration, or on public roads designated as blue zones)
• At parking spaces marked with the "P" sign together with the parking disc symbol.

I arrive on site at 10:15. How do I use the disc?

The arrow on the disc must be set on the mark that follows your time of arrival. So if you arrive at 10:15, you set the arrow to 10:30. The same applies if you arrive at any time from 10:01 onwards!
Place the disc clearly visible on the inside of the windscreen.

The regulatory disc used in Belgium is a standardised European model, so it can also be used in other European countries.
It may not carry any advertising on the visible side.

How long can I park?

The maximum parking time is 2 hours from the time indicated by the arrow... unless a sign states otherwise (a sign may indicate a shorter parking time).
The highway code states that you must vacate your parking space at the end of the permitted parking period. It is therefore not allowed to change the arrival time on the disc or to use a tampered disc (for example, some time ago a few "clever" drivers came up with a clock system wired to their disc — they were heavily fined!)

What are the hours for blue zones?

Unless otherwise indicated, the parking disc must be used in a blue zone from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm, except on public holidays.
An additional sign may specify which days or which hours the disc must be used.

Are you in a blue zone where the pay-and-display machine is out of order? In that case you must still use your disc. However, make sure there isn't another working machine nearby.

Does everyone have to use the parking disc?

• All motorists parking in a blue zone must use the parking disc (motorcyclists are exempt).
• People with disabilities who hold a special parking card do not have to use the disc.
• A sign may state "Except for residents": in that case, vehicles displaying a resident's card are also exempt.

What fine do I risk?

A fine can cost you at least €25.
If you don't pay within the deadline, a reminder plus administrative and postage fees may increase this amount.
In many places, checks are carried out by the police or by agents of private companies accredited by local authorities to monitor parking.

The correct parking disc

Make sure you use a parking disc that matches the model issued since March 2003, i.e. divided into half-hour segments (see the image above) rather than quarter-hours, with the letter P in a white rectangle and the words "TIME OF ARRIVAL" only in the 3 national languages.
No advertising may appear on the front of the disc.
Any other model is not valid!