Dutch–English driving glossary
The Dutch words you will see on the road and in the exam.
| Nederlands | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aanhangwagen | trailer | |
| adaptieve cruise control | adaptive cruise control (ACC) | |
| afrit | exit (motorway exit) | |
| afslaan | turn (left or right) | |
| alarmlichten | hazard warning lights | |
| APK | periodic vehicle inspection (like the MOT) | |
| autosnelweg | motorway | |
| autoweg | expressway | |
| bebouwde kom | built-up area | |
| beginnend bestuurder | novice driver | Lower alcohol limit: 0.2 per mille. |
| berm | verge | |
| bestuurder | driver | |
| blauwe zone | blue zone | Parking disc required. |
| blokmarkering | block markings | Short wide dashes at slip roads and exits. |
| bromfiets | moped | |
| brommobiel | microcar | |
| busbaan | bus lane | |
| claxon | horn | |
| dimlicht | dipped headlights | |
| dode hoek | blind spot | |
| doorgetrokken streep | solid line | You may not cross it. |
| fietspad | cycle path | |
| fietsstraat | cycle street | Cars are guests ("auto te gast"). |
| fietsstrook | cycle lane | |
| gelijkwaardig kruispunt | equal crossroads | Traffic from the right goes first. |
| gevaarherkenning | hazard perception | |
| gevarendriehoek | warning triangle | |
| gezondheidsverklaring | health declaration | |
| grootlicht | high beam | |
| haaientanden | shark teeth | White triangles across the road: give way. |
| hulpdiensten | emergency services | |
| inhalen | overtake | |
| invoegen | merge (join traffic from a slip road) | |
| invoegstrook | slip road / acceleration lane | |
| kenteken | registration number (number plate) | |
| laden en lossen | loading and unloading | |
| landbouwvoertuig | agricultural vehicle | |
| matrixbord | matrix sign | |
| mistachterlicht | rear fog light | |
| mistlampen | front fog lights | |
| motorvoertuig | motor vehicle | |
| noodremassistent | autonomous emergency braking (AEB) | |
| onderbroken streep | broken line | |
| oprit | slip road onto the motorway | |
| parkeerschijf | parking disc | |
| parkeren | parking | |
| pechhulp | roadside assistance | |
| praktijkexamen | practical driving test | |
| reactieafstand | reaction distance | |
| remweg | braking distance | |
| richtingaanwijzer | indicator (turn signal) | |
| rijbaan | carriageway | |
| rijbewijs | driving licence | |
| rijhulpsystemen | driver-assistance systems (ADAS) | |
| rijstrook | lane | |
| rijstrookassistent | lane-keeping assist | |
| ritsen | zip merging | Take turns where two lanes become one. |
| rotonde | roundabout | |
| slagboom | barrier | |
| snorfiets | light moped (max. 25 km/h) | |
| spitsstrook | peak-hour lane | Only open when the matrix sign shows a speed. |
| spoorwegovergang / overweg | level crossing | |
| stilstaan | stopping (briefly, e.g. to let someone out) | |
| stopafstand | stopping distance | Reaction distance + braking distance. |
| stopstreep | stop line | |
| theorie-examen | theory exam | |
| trottoir / stoep | pavement (sidewalk) | |
| uitrit | exit (driveway) | Leaving an exit, you give way to everyone. |
| uitvoegstrook | deceleration lane (exit lane) | |
| verkeersbrigadier | school crossing patrol | |
| verkeerslicht | traffic light | |
| verkeersregelaar | traffic controller | Their signals beat lights and signs. |
| vluchtheuvel | traffic island | |
| vluchtstrook | hard shoulder | |
| voetgangersoversteekplaats | pedestrian crossing (zebra crossing) | |
| volgafstand | following distance | At least 2 seconds in dry weather. |
| voorrang verlenen | give way | |
| voorrangskruispunt | crossroads with priority | |
| voorrangsweg | priority road | |
| WA-verzekering | third-party liability insurance | Required for every motor vehicle on the road. |
| weggebruiker | road user | |
| woonerf | residential zone | |
| zebrapad | zebra crossing |
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