Driving rules and regulations in The Netherlands

All right, let’s start with the basics: in the Netherlands we drive on the right side of the road, like in most European countries. You’re allowed to drive independently from the age of 18 (if you have a driving license, of course). Driving at the age of 17 is allowed as well, but only under supervision of an adult with a driving license.

If you have a driver's license from you own country you are allowed to drive in The Netherlands as well. However, if you’re going to live in The Netherlands you might need to request a Dutch driver’s license. This is the case if you’re from a country outside Europe (which is in this case the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland).

To make sure your car is safe, the car needs to be subjected to a mandatory vehicle inspection called APK (the Dutch equivalent of the MOT). A new car (petrol or fully electric) needs to be inspected for the first time after 4 years, then after 2 years twice and after that the vehicle inspection is annual. With a diesel car, the first vehicle inspection is after 3 years and annually after that. If this sounds confusing, don’t worry: you’ll receive a reminder when the vehicle inspection is due. After that you need to make an appointment at a garage that is qualified to carry out the APK.

Since we drive on the right side of the road, traffic coming from the right has the right of way, unless indicated otherwise. Some other important road priority rules are:

• Traffic on priority roads (marked by yellow diamond-shaped traffic signs and white triangles on the road) has the right of way
• Traffic on roundabouts has the right of way
• When you make a turn, the traffic going straight has the right of way
• Trams always have the right of way
• Emergency vehicles using flashing lights or sirens always have the right of way

Beside the rules already mentioned here are some of the most important driving rules in the Netherlands:

• You have to overtake on the left (regardless of the number of lanes)
• You always have to drive on the rightmost lane, unless you’re overtaking
• In case of a solid centre line (rather than an interrupted line) overtaking is not allowed
• You’re not allowed to drive with an alcohol level of over 0,5 per mille (which is usually 2 beers)
• You’re not allowed to hold your mobile phone while driving

On Dutch highways, the speed limit depends on the time of the day. During daytime, between 06.00 and 19.00, the speed limit is 100 km/h. From 19.00 to 06.00 the speed limit is either 120 km/h or 130 km/h. When you’re not on a highway the speed limit is 80 km/h outside built-up areas and 50 km/h inside built-up areas, unless indicated otherwise.

When driving in the Netherlands it’s good to know that fines can be pretty expensive. For example, when you’re caught driving 15 km/h over the speed limit on the highway, it will cost you €136. Overtaking on the right can be fined with €280 and unnecessarily driving on the left line can be fined with €240. Therefore it’s important to familiarize yourself with the traffic rules and regulations in the Netherlands, before you hit the Dutch roads. Good luck!