Traffic Rules
You might want to know about the official Dutch traffic rules.
If you plan on driving in the Netherlands, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Dutch traffic rules. For some internationals, driving in the Netherlands can be a very different experience to driving in their home country, with many Dutch cities possessing narrow streets and roads. Moreover, driving a car here also means inevitable encounters with cyclists who may often share the roads with you, so understanding who has right of way, and when, can make adjusting to driving in the Netherlands far smoother and less dangerous than attempting to learn through trial and error. This can be especially the case for roundabouts and junctions in which bike paths and car lanes will often cross one another.
Useful Traffic Rules
The most important traffic rule in the Netherlands is that you must drive on the right hand side of the road, and when you overtake you should only overtake on the left hand side. Seatbelts are also compulsory for all passengers. Other important rules include:
- Trams have priority over cars, and buses will also have priority when they are pulling out of bus stops. In certain cases, cyclists will also have priority, so it's important to always keep an eye out for cyclists whilst you are driving.
- The speed limits on the motorways will change depending on the time of day. From 6 am to 7 pm, the speed limit is 100 kilometres an hour. Between 7 pm to 6 am, the speed limit on the motorways varies from 120 kilometres to 130 kilometres an hour, depending on which road you are driving on. The speed limits will vary depending on the type of vehicle that you drive.
