Driving In the Netherlands - AngloINFO Holland South (Holland) http://hollandsouth.angloinfo.com/countries/holland/driving.asp
HOLLAND SOUTH LOCAL REFERENCE INFORMATION
Driving In the Netherlands
An overview of the rules of the road, the types of roads, real-time traffic reports,
Dutch road signs, parking, what to do in a breakdown, regulations on drink driving and
other aspects important to a driver in the Netherlands.
Below find information on:
Rules & Regulations Driving & Drinking
What to Carry in the Car Parking
Road Tax Breakdown Recovery
Roads, Signs & Traffic Conditions Dutch Motoring Terms
Speed Limits Further Information
Rules & Regulations
Here are the most important rules for driving in the Netherlands:
Drive on the right, overtake on the left
18 years is the legal minimum age to drive a car (or motorbike over 125cc)
16 is the legal minimum age to drive a moped
Motorcycle and trike drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets
It is compulsory to carry a driving licence, car registration papers and insurance documents in the car
(Dutch, EU and International Driving Licences are accepted)
Mobile cellular telephones may only be used with a hands-free system while driving. Even holding a
mobile in a moving vehicle is considered an offence
Seatbelts are compulsory in the front and rear of the vehicle
Children younger than 18 and shorter than 1.35m must sit in an approved car seat or raised, booster
seat
Headlights should be dipped in built-up areas but it is prohibited to use side-lights only
Drivers should pay particular attention to cyclists who may ride two abreast
Unless otherwise signposted, vehicles coming from the right have priority
Busses have priority when pulling out
Trams have priority except where signposted at major junctions
The Ministry of Transport & Public Works publishes a comprehensive guide (in English) on the Road
Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands. It answers all questions on rules for drivers and
cyclists, signs, hand signals by traffic police, parking rules and much more:
Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands online: Click here (PDF)
Children in cars
It is obligatory that children under 18 who are less than 1.35 metres tall must travel in an EU approved child
car seat or raised booster seat. This applies to travelling in the front to back seats. A child under three may not
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be transported in a without being strapped in to a seat.
The Dutch traffic department website has clear information on the subject: Click here
What to Carry in the Car
It is compulsory to carry the following in the car at all times:
Driving licence (and a passport if the driving licence does not include a photograph)
Car registration papers
Motor insurance certificate
It is also advisable, but not obligatory, to carry:
A red warning triangle
A reflective vest
Road Tax
Road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting) must be paid for any car or motorcycle registered in the Netherlands and
using Dutch roads. Forms are available at post offices or from the Tax Office. Various payment methods and
terms allowed. Pricing varies depending on the vehicle, its fuel and district of registration.
Belastingdiens, Centraal Bureau Motorrijtuigenbelasting (CBM)
PO-Box 9047, 7300 GJ Apeldoorn
Tel: [phone]
Website
To find rates and charges: Click here and then select "rekenhulp" (in Dutch)
The RDW has a computer database of all vehicles registered in Holland and monitors these vehicles for
roadworthiness (valid APK), road tax and insurance. If any of these are late for renewal the RDW issues a
warning with a fixed penalty notice, requesting renewal of the above within a certain time period. It is possible
to plead mitigating circumstances (such as out of the country on business) and avoid paying the penalty if the
payment for renewal is made as soon as possible after being notified.
BPM Tax
BPM is an additional "green" tax levied by the Dutch tax authority on all cars imported into Holland, whether
new or secondhand. This does not apply to the first car for those settling in Holland if it can be shown to be part
of the families goods and furniture on first arrival into Holland.
For the second car and importation from any other country, the BPM is applied at 20 percent of the original
sales price (excluding VAT) of the vehicle as it would have been sold in Holland, including any additional options
on the car such as alloy wheels and leather seats. This is decremented by 2 percent per annum for the age of
the vehicle to a minimum of 2 percent for vehicles of 10 years or older. This is assessed by the Customs and
Excise department.
The BPM tax is not levied on new vehicles bought for export and there are dealerships that can order right hand
drive vehicles for export to the UK.
Roads, Speed limits, Signs and Traffic Conditions
The road network in the Netherlands is dense and busy but in good condition. Rules and road signs are similar
to those of other mainland European countries.
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There are a large number of cyclists and skaters in the Netherlands and most main roads have cycle lanes;
cyclists should always be in the designated lane where available. Bikes always have priority over cars.
There are no toll motorways in the Netherlands.
Road and traffic conditions
The ANWB (an organisation much like the AA and AAA in anglophone countries) provides up-to-
the-minute information on road and traffic conditions: Click here (in Dutch). Refer also to menu of
town/area names on the right side
Roadworks in the Netherlands gives information on roadways affected by works: Click here (in Dutch)
Tel: [phone]
Speed limits
Speed limits are implemented rigorously and radar traps are frequent. Driving over the speed limit and other
law infringements are severely punished (fines, licence withheld, vehicle seized). Speed cameras, speed traps
and unmarked vehicles are used by the traffic police.
Speed limits for motor vehicles are as follows unless otherwise marked by signs:
Autosnelweg (motorway/expressway/freeway): 120 Km/h dropping to 100 Km/h (where marked)
Autoweg (main, national roads): 100 Km/h
Built-up areas: 50 Km/h
All other roads: 80 km/h
Note that speed limits are reduced for passenger cars and vans with trailers attached, and for camper vans and
trucks.
The ANWB publishes the locations of speed controls each week.
For position of speed cameras: Click here
Rules and road signs
See the English-language PDF Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands for information on
driving in the Netherlands.
Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands: Click here (PDF)
For an explanation and images of traffic signs: Click here and select page 57
Driving & Drinking in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has strict drink driving laws, allowing only 220 micrograms per litre of exhaled breath or 0.5
grams of alcohol per litre of blood. Drunk drivers are fined; the fee varies depending on the seriousness of the
offence.
It is also illegal to allow a person to drive if they are over the limit.
Drivers who cause death by driving under the influence of alcohol may be charged with up to six years in jail.
Injuring someone while drunk behind the wheel of a car carries a sentence of up to three years.
Refusing to take a breathalyser test may incur penalties. Police have the authority to confiscate a vehicle if the
driver is caught doing excessive speeds or driving while over the alcohol limit.
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Note: If a driver has held their licence for under five years the alcohol blood limit is 88 micrograms per litre
of exhaled breath, or 0.2 grams per litre of blood.
Further information from the Ministry of Roads and Canals: Click here
Parking in the Netherlands
Parking is not allowed next to black and white or yellow curbs.
There is a severe lack of parking in Amsterdam and other major cities. In an effort to reduce congestion, many
cities have a park and ride scheme (P+R-locaties). The driver parks at an organised, out of town location and
then finishes the journey on public transport to the city centre.
Enter the postcode of the city for a list of park and ride schemes in the area: Click here (in Dutch)
P-Zone: In almost all urban districts parking is not free. In metered parking areas (marked by a "P zone"
sign) parking tickets are available from the central meter machine (usually grey or yellow) at the side of the
road.
The ticket must be displayed in the front window. Failing to display a ticket may lead to the parking police
putting a boot (yellow locking device) on the car and fining the driver. If the car is towed away the costs can
run into hundreds of Euros.
Meter machines on the street vary in terms of method of payment allowed (in large urban areas, most have
English-language directions). In some cases, a bank pin/chip card or credit card will work, or in some cities
(Rotterdam is one) parking cards can be bought from the central parking authority (ask at the local town, city
or district hall).
Blue Zone: A time-stamped parking disc - displayed on the dashboard - is needed to park in urban blue zone
areas. These discs are available from motor club offices, tobacco shops and police stations.
Parking is also available in large, multi-storey or underground parking garages. Payment may be in cash or by
pin/chip cards.
In more residential areas, permits for residents are available.
Breakdown Recovery & Emergency Telephones
Yellow emergency telephones on the motorway roadside connect to the ANWB for roadside assistance. The
ANWB is a membership service but is open to all road users who are able to subscribe for help from the scene
of a breakdown or accident.
Some Helpful Dutch Motoring Terms
English Dutch
unleaded fuel loodvrije benzine
diesel diesel
motor oil motorolie
filling station tankstation
car rental agency autoverhuurbedrijf
toll tol
toll road tolweg
parking parkeerplaats
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highway grote weg
expressway grote weg
exit afrit
entrance oprit
detour wegomleiding
hospital ziekenhuis
police politie
police station politie bureau
embassy ambassade
Further Information
The Dutch Department of Road Transport (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer or RDW)
Tel: [phone]
Website
The Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB)
At: P.O. Box 93200, 2509 BA The Hague
Tel: (General information) 0800 0503
Website
Information from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Driving in the Netherlands
The AA (UK) information on Driving in the Netherlands (PDF)
Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (Ministerie van Verkeer en
Waterstaat)
AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Accidents in the Netherlands
AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Insurance in the Netherlands
AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Vehicle Roadworthiness in the Netherlands
AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Getting a Dutch Driving Licence
AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in the Netherlands
AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Buying & Selling a Car in the Netherlands
AngloINFO INFOrmation page on Registering a Vehicle in the Netherlands
0912ww
Related reference INFOrmation on AngloINFO Holland South:
· Accidents in the Netherlands
· Bus Services in Holland South
· Buying & Selling a Car in the Netherlands
· Cars & Driving Discussion Forum
· Cars for Sale / Wanted Discussion Forum
· Driving in Snow & Ice
· Dutch Driving Licences
· Foreign Driving Licences in the Netherlands
· Green Card System
· Holiday Accommodation in the Netherlands
· Holland Airport Contacts
· Holland South Maps
· Insuring a Vehicle in the Netherlands
· Local Tourism Notes
· Motorsport news
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Driving In the Netherlands - AngloINFO Holland South (Holland) http://hollandsouth.angloinfo.com/countries/holland/driving.asp
· Netherlands - Facts & Figures
· Registering a Foreign Vehicle in the Netherlands
· Trains, Trams & Railways in Holland South
· Travel Guides - Holland South
· Travel Guides - The Netherlands
· Vehicle Roadworthiness in the Netherlands
· Weather in South Holland, North Brabant, Limburg and Zeeland
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