Car Rental at Antwerp Airport (ANR)

You need BOTH your valid US driver's license AND an International Driving Permit (IDP). Belgium legally requires non-EU visitors to carry an IDP alongside their home license. Get your IDP from AAA or AATA before leaving the US—it costs around $20 and takes minutes. Car rental companies will refuse to hand over keys without it, and police can fine you up to €200 if stopped without one.

No, Belgium has no highway tolls for passenger cars—unlike France, Italy, or Switzerland. You can drive unlimited kilometers on Belgian highways without paying tolls. However, the Liefkenshoek Tunnel near Antwerp charges €6 per car. Belgium does have an environmental zone (LEZ) in Antwerp city center; if your rental isn't compliant, you'll need to purchase a daily pass starting at €35.

Most likely yes. In Belgium, drivers under 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge of €10-25 per day, and some companies set the threshold at 21. At 23, expect to pay this fee with most rental agencies. Additionally, you'll face restrictions on vehicle categories—no luxury cars, large SUVs, or specialty vehicles. Book in advance and compare companies, as some waive the fee for drivers over 23 with a clean record.

Yes, most rental companies allow cross-border travel within Western Europe, but you must declare it at pickup. Some budget agencies restrict this or charge extra (€10-50/day). Always check your rental contract—driving into unauthorized countries voids insurance. Note: the Netherlands and France have their own environmental zones (LEZs) requiring separate registrations or passes, so plan ahead if visiting Amsterdam or Paris.

Antwerp uses a color-coded parking system: blue zones (free with parking disc, max 2 hours), orange zones (paid, 2-hour max), and red zones (paid, 4-hour max). Paid parking typically costs €2-3 per hour via app (3625 or PayByPhone) or meters. Avoid residential permit-only areas (green zones)—you'll get a €25-50 fine. Park in underground garages (€2.50-4/hour) for longer stays. Never park within 15 meters of intersections or in bike lanes.

Yes, this is the #1 shock for American drivers. At unmarked intersections in residential areas, traffic from the right has priority—even if you're on a larger road. Look for shark-tooth road markings indicating you must yield. On main roads, 'priority road' signs (yellow diamond with white center) mean you have right of way. When in doubt, slow down at every intersection and watch for cars approaching from your right. This rule causes numerous accidents for foreign drivers annually.