Road rules and safety - Netherlands

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The use of seat belts and child restraint systems is MANDATORY (Directive 91/671/EEC as amended).

Exemptions for:

  • transport services where standing passengers are allowed
  • people using a wheel chair

Amber light precedes the red light, but not in front of bridges, level crossings (road/rail intersections) and traffic lights for pedestrians.

Motorcycles
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans with trailers
Vehicles below 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Heavy goods vehicles
over 3.5 t

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Urban roads
Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways

Buses

Standard speed limits (unless otherwise stated by traffic signs) [km/h]

Non-urban roads
Motorways/expressways
Urban roads
0,5 g/l

Standard drivers

0,2 g/l

Novice drivers (Less than 5 years' driving experience)

0,5 g/l

Professional drivers

Forbidden drugs

THC (cannabis)

Methylamphetamine

MDMA (ecstasy)

All drugs that affect driving performance.

  • Prohibited lanes are indicated with a red light in the form of a cross above the lane
  • Bike lanes marked with continuous stripes are forbidden to other vehicles
  • On express ways with 3 or more lanes in one direction, heavy goods vehicles or combinations with trailers longer than 7m must stay in the 2 right lanes.
Bicycles
Mopeds
Motorcycles with/without a sidecar
Light and heavy tricycles
Light and heavy quadricycles
Drivers may not use their mobile phone without a hand-free set
Drivers may use their mobile phone with a hand-free set
Safety equipment for carsWarning triangle

Disclaimer

This content on road safety and traffic rules is provided by the national authorities according to Article 8(1) of Directive (EU) 2015/413/EU. The European Commission does not assume liability for this content or its accuracy. For the most accurate and up-to-date information check national websites, where you can also find information on other national rules covering time-based charges (vignettes), emission stickers and road tolls.

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Road rules and safety

Last checked: 12/06/2023
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