Discovering The Netherlands

Driving Rules and Regulations

The Netherlands has a modern highway network, one of the most comprehensive in Europe, and smaller, more scenic country roads linking major cities. All roads are well marked, international routes are marked with signs carrying a green E; national highways are indicated by a red A; and secondary roads by a yellow N. Road signs do not indicate direction, rather they list the final destination of the direction in which you are headed. An unfamiliar aspect of driving is the great numbers of cyclists and moped riders on Dutch roads. These smaller, slower vehicles have their own lanes but can be very distracting to drivers unaccustomed to seeing so many of them, especially in major city traffic. Bicycles have the right of way, and particular care should be taken when driving in the city.

The Netherlands has driving rules fairly like other locations, as mostly elsewhere, drinking and driving is discouraged, and heavy fines will apply. The minimum age to operate an auto or a motorcycle is 18 years. Some location specific rules applied in The Netherlands are: + The speed limit is 50 kph/31 mph in cities and towns, 80 kph/49 mph outside built-up areas, and 120 kph/74 mph on major highways unless otherwise marked + Priority roads, those marked by signs with an orange diamond on a white background, are major roads on which drivers do not yield to traffic entering from side streets + A pattern of "shark's teeth" is painted in white at intersections. If the points are directed toward you, you must yield + Vehicles entering an intersection from the right have the right of way on all roads + At a traffic circle, vehicles entering the roundabout have the right of way, except when you see the sign that says “ rotondeverkeer heeft voorrang”; traffic on the circle has priority + Pedestrians have the right of way when crossing the street on striped pavement crossings, never pass before or at a crosswalk + Hidden cameras have been installed, as a result in you can be issued a ticket by mail for traffic violations + Expatriates are often required to make immediate payment of fines that are levied in person

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Discovering The Netherlands