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Self-Drive
Motoring holidays in the Netherlands.
Tips on driving abroad
in the Netherlands. Motoring rules and regulations in the Netherlands. the
Netherlands motoring laws.
Distance
Chart
International Driving Permit
Interactive Route
Planner
Relative Carbon
Emissions
Buy Road Maps of the Netherlands
Make sure you Drive Alive! Drive on
the right!
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Be especially careful when setting
off from service stations or restaurants on the left side of the road.
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Take care when overtaking - allow
more space between you and the car in front so you can see further down the
road ahead.
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the Netherlands
has strict drink driving laws, only allowing
0.5 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood - stricter than the UK where
the limit is 0.8.
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Seat belts front and rear are
obligatory everywhere.
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Speed limits, shown below, are
implemented rigorously. Radar traps are frequent.
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Remember - Speeding and other
traffic offences are subject to extremely heavy on-the-spot fines. In serious
cases your vehicle can be confiscated.
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There are no
tolls on the motorways in the Netherlands.
A full UK driving licence is required. As in the UK, seat belts should be
worn front and rear. Below are motoring regulations relating to the Netherlands.
|
Country |
Motorway |
Open Road |
Town |
Alcohol mg/ml |
|
Netherlands |
120/100 km/h |
80/100 km/h |
50 km/h |
0.5 |
Children
in cars: children under 12 and 1.5 metres tall cannot travel in the front
unless they use a proper child restraint system. Children under 3 in the rear
must use a proper child restraint if one is available. Children over 3 must use
appropriate restraints in the rear.
Documentation: always
carry your driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5), and certificate
of motor insurance. If your licence does not incorporate a photograph ensure you
carry your passport to validate the licence. If the vehicle is not registered in
your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to
drive.
Drinking
and driving: Don't do it. Anything over 0.05 per cent and you could face
anything up to imprisonment.
Fines: On the spot fines are issued for the infringement of all traffic
regulations. Ensure an official receipt is issued by the officer collecting the
fine.
Fire
extinguisher is advised, but not compulsory.
First-aid kit is advised, but not compulsory.
Fuel:
All grades of unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are available as well as lead
substitute additive. No leaded. It is allowed to carry petrol in a can. Credit
and debit cards are widely accepted, although they probably won't work at
automatic pumps. It's a good idea to let your card issuer know you will be
travelling abroad. This ensures they don't suspend your card if they spot it
being used in unfamiliar places, which they sometimes do as an anti-fraud
measure.
GB
sticker: UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12
stars above the national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB
sticker when driving in European Union countries.
Headlamp converters are
compulsory.
Lights:
There is no obligation but a recommendation to use
dipped headlights on open roads and during poor visibility. Motorcycles must use
dipped headlights during the day at all times.
Minimum
age for driving, provided you hold a full UK licence, is 18 for a car and
motorcycle.
Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets.
Motor insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory. A green card is not
required but your insurer should be advised of your trip.
Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted.
Visibility Vests are now compulsory in
Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain (and likely to
become compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary from country
to country concerning number of vests required and whether they should be
carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be a vest
for every occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car, and put on
before getting out. Do this and you will not have a problem.
Warning triangle is advised, as its use is compulsory.
BACK TO TOP
All information on this page is provided as a
service to our clients. It is intended as a guide to the more important rules
for the different countries to which we offer driving holidays. It is not meant
to be a comprehensive document. We try and keep the information on this page
up-to-date, but we cannot be held responsible in any way for any consequences
arising from any inaccuracies. If you find a mistake or would like to send us
some additional information, please email
us. Your co-operation is appreciated.
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