Road rules and safety - Netherlands

Which rule are you interested in?

• Alcohol limits
• Forbidden lane
• Influence of drugs
• Mobile telephone
• Other specific rules
• Safety helmet
• Seat belts
• Speed limits
• Traffic lights

0,5 mg/ml Professional drivers

0,5 mg/ml Standard drivers

0,2 mg/ml Novice drivers (Less than 5 years' driving experience)

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.

Forbidden drugs THC (cannabis) Methylamphetamine MDMA (ecstasy) All drugs that affect driving performance.

	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

	Bicycles
	Light and heavy tricycles
	Motorcycles with/without a sidecar
	Light and heavy quadricycles
	Mopeds

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

Heavy goods vehicles
over 3.5 t

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

	Non-urban roads
	Motorways/expressways
	Urban roads

Buses

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

	Non-urban roads
	Urban roads
	Motorways/expressways

Motorcycles
Vehicles below 3.5 t

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

	Non-urban roads
	Urban roads
	Motorways/expressways

Passenger cars & vans
Vehicles below 3.5 t

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

	Motorways/expressways
	Non-urban roads
	Urban roads

Passenger cars & vans with trailers
Vehicles below 3.5 t

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

	Non-urban roads
	Motorways/expressways
	Urban roads

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

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.