Netherlands Traffic Guide

How to drive in the Netherlands

The Netherlands (colloquially also called Holland) are always worth a visit, from the big cities on the coast to the idyllic mill landscapes inland. To fully experience the picturesque landscape, the exciting culture, and the hospitable population, a road trip by car is a good choice.

In this guide, you can read about the traffic rules you should follow in the Netherlands.

Netherlands Traffic Rules Overview

• In the Netherlands, you can drive from the age of 18 if you have an EU driving licence.
• As throughout mainland Europe, driving is on the right-hand side of the road in the Netherlands.
• Within built-up areas, you must not exceed 50 km/h in the Netherlands. Outside built-up areas, the speed limit is 80 km/h. On national roads or expressways and during the day on motorways, the speed limit is 100 km/h. At night, speeds of up to 120 or 130 km/h are allowed on motorways.
• Both the driver and all passengers must wear seat belts while driving. Calling is only permitted for drivers using a hands-free system. The use of radar detectors is prohibited.
• There is no mandatory daytime running lights in the Netherlands. Lights must be turned on in poor visibility conditions and at night. However, driving with lights on during the day is highly recommended.
• While a first aid kit and warning triangle are mandatory equipment in vehicles in the Netherlands, carrying safety vests is optional but recommended.
• The alcohol limit is 0.5 per mille. Novice drivers must not exceed a limit of 0.2 per mille.
• Although cannabis is legal in the Netherlands, you may not drive after consuming it. Caution: THC can still be detected in the blood the next day. If you are driving during your holiday in Holland, it is advisable to avoid consuming cannabis altogether. Especially for mixed consumption (cannabis and alcohol or other drugs), even small amounts can result in high fines.
• No parking is indicated by yellow markings on curbs or at the edge of the road. Blue lines indicate a disc parking zone, where you can only park with a parking disc.

Driving in the Netherlands

The roads in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is known for the excellent condition of its roads. The entire country can be ideally accessed via the road network.

Petrol stations and charging points

Petrol and Diesel: Petrol and diesel are widely available throughout the Netherlands, but they are relatively expensive compared to the European average. Most petrol stations are open until 8 PM. In larger cities, on motorways, and along major traffic routes, many petrol stations also offer their services 24/7.

Rental car or own car?

The Netherlands shares land borders with Germany and Belgium. Those wishing to enter the Netherlands by car must be able to prove that the vehicle is insured for liability.

For vehicles from the EU, the Euro number plate is usually sufficient. However, it is advised to carry an International Insurance Card to be covered in case of damage.

The availability of rental cars in the Netherlands is also excellent. Many providers allow you to rent a car from the age of 19. However, those under 25 should expect additional young driver fees.

Fines

Fines in the Netherlands can be very high, and your traffic offenses can follow you beyond the border. Since the Netherlands is part of the EU, fines can also be enforced in other EU countries. For example, Dutch authorities are particularly stringent about parking violations by tourists from abroad.

For exceeding the speed limit, sometimes very high sanctions are threatened. Fines are due for speeds as little as 5 km/h over the limit. At 30 km/h over the limit (or 40 km/h on motorways), it is even checked whether the driver is physically and mentally still capable of driving. Since speed measurements are taken over longer stretches on some motorway sections, you should be especially careful to comply with the speed limits at all times.