Car & Traffic Rules

There are an awful lot of traffic rules in the Netherlands. Besides driving on the right-hand side of the road is the priority rule the most important. In the end you want to know who goes before whom if you bump into each other at crossings and splitting roads. First question you have to ask yourself is; are we talking about traffic that comes from two different roads from different directions (crossing traffic) or if it is about traffic at the same road. This same road doesn’t have to look the same, also pavements, pedestrian, cycle and horse paths that are next to this road are included. With crossing traffic, the drivers give each other priority guided by the following rules: Drivers from priority vehicles with flashing lights or sirens, always have the right of way On crossings of unequal roads, other drivers have right of way if they are on a priority road. On equal roads the tram goes before every other driver.

Drivers coming from the right have right of way on crossings of equal roads.

By crossing traffic, pedestrians have to give drivers right of way. With traffic on the same road, there is one important rule: Traffic that goes in the same direction (straight ahead) have right of way, instead of drivers who are turning. This is also the truth for pedestrians, no matter what kind of vehicle or road.

The tram is an exception on this rule, those can turn left or right without giving priority.

The maximum of alcohol in your blood, when driving is 0,05 percent.

If you’re younger than 24 year and are you driving mopeds or having a drivers license less than five years, the maximum is 0,02 percent. If you drink one alcoholic drink, your limit of 0,02 percent is soon reached.

Traffic Signs & Drivers Licence

If you want to drive a car in the Netherlands you need a valid drivers licence from your home country. Driving licences issued in non EU/EVA countries need to be exchanged for a Dutch driving licence. Check out this page for more information in english about the subject: www.rijbewijs.nl

Learn more about Road Traffic Signs and Regulations on the homepage of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works: www.verkeerswaterstaat.nl