Driving In the Netherlands

Below find information on:

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 be transported in a without being strapped in to a seat.

• The Dutch traffic department website has clear information on the subject: Click here 
• And for more general questions and answers on transporting children in cars: 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: 055 578 2244
  Website
• To find rates and charges: Click here and then select "rekenprogramma" (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, 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.

There are a large number of cyclist 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)
• Some English-language information: Click here
  Tel: 0800 8002

Speed limits and road signs

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

The ANWB publishes the locations of speed controls each week.

• For position of speed cameras: Click here

Refer to page 34 of the Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands for images and explanations of all Dutch road signs.

• Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands: Click here (PDF, page 34)

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.

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

Further Information

• The Dutch Department of Road Transport (Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer or RDW)
  Tel: 0900 0739
  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