Special roads, road users and manoeuvres
Bijzondere wegen, weggebruikers en manoeuvres · 13 min
Some roads and places have extra rules: the motorway, the residential zone, the level crossing and the bus stop. Parking and stopping have their own rules too.
Motorway and expressway
Only motor vehicles that can and may go faster than 60 km/h are allowed on the motorway (autosnelweg, sign G1). On the expressway (autoweg, sign G3) this is 50 km/h.
On the motorway you may not turn around, reverse or drive across the central reservation. Stopping on the hard shoulder is only allowed in an emergency.
Residential zone (woonerf)
In a residential zone (woonerf, sign G5) the street is mainly for the people who live there.
- You drive at walking pace.
- Pedestrians may use the full width of the road and playing children can be anywhere.
- You may only park in the spaces marked for it (with a P or other marking).
When you leave a residential zone (sign G6), you give way to traffic on the other road.
RVV 1990 art. 44–46
30 km/h zones
Many residential areas are a 30 km/h zone. The ZONE sign at the start applies to all streets in that zone, even if you do not see a new sign at every junction. Junctions in a 30 zone are often equal: traffic from the right goes first.
Parking and stopping
- Do not park within 5 metres of a junction.
- On a zebra crossing and 5 metres before it you may not even stop.
- In a blue zone (blauwe zone) you put a parking disc behind the windscreen, set to your arrival time.
- Stopping briefly to let someone get in or out is not parking.
Always park so that you do not get in anyone's way or block their view.
RVV 1990 art. 23–24
Level crossings
If the red lights at a level crossing are flashing, you must stop, even if the barriers are still up. A train is coming.
Only drive onto a level crossing if you are sure you can get off on the other side. Never stop on the tracks.
Buses, cyclists and pedestrians
In a built-up area you must let a bus pull away when it signals that it wants to leave a stop.
Cyclists may ride two side by side. If there is no pavement or footpath, pedestrians walk on the cycle path, or otherwise at the side of the road.
RVV 1990 art. 50
Tunnels
In a tunnel always switch on your dipped headlights, even during the day. Keep extra distance and follow the matrix signs and traffic lights at the entrance. Take off your sunglasses before you enter the tunnel, so your eyes can get used to the dark.
Joining the motorway
You join the motorway using the slip road (invoegstrook).
- Signal and speed up to about the speed of the traffic on the main carriageway.
- Traffic on the main carriageway goes first.
- Find a gap and merge. Only stop if there is really no other way.
What is not allowed on the motorway?
On the motorway (sign G1) it is forbidden to:
- make a U-turn or reverse;
- drive across the central reservation;
- stop or park, except in a breakdown or emergency;
- use the hard shoulder (vluchtstrook) to get ahead.
Only vehicles that can and may go faster than 60 km/h are allowed on a motorway. On an expressway (sign G3) that is 50 km/h.
Cycle paths and cycle lanes
A cycle path (fietspad, sign G11) is a separate path for cyclists. You may not drive your car on it. Sign G12 marks the end.
A cycle lane (fietsstrook) is a lane on the carriageway, often red with a white line. Watch for cyclists when you turn or get out: look back before you open your door.
Bus lanes and trams
A bus lane (busbaan) is only for service buses (and sometimes other vehicles shown on the sign). You do not drive your car on it.
Trams are heavy and cannot swerve. Keep your distance, and at a tram stop watch for people crossing.
One-way and dead-end roads
- Sign C2: no entry from this side (you may leave).
- One-way street sign: you may only drive in one direction.
- Sign L8: dead end.
Watch out for cyclists: sometimes they may ride in both directions (shown on a sub-sign).
Blue zone and parking disc
In a blue zone (blauwe zone) you may park for free for a limited time. Place a parking disc (parkeerschijf) clearly visible behind the windscreen, set to your arrival time.
Sign E4 shows a parking place. Sub-signs can add rules, such as times or 'permit holders only'.