Driving in Netherlands

The total length of roadways of Netherlands is 139,295 km. All of them are paved. Length of motorways - 2,808 km.

Contents

Toll roads

There is no toll road in the Netherlands. Only travel through some tunnels is subject to payment.

Special toll

Westerschelde Tunnel

The Westerschelde tunnel connects Terneuzen (in Zeeland Flanders) and Goes (in South Beveland). The length of the tunnel is 6.6 km. All vehicles that reach a speed of 80 km/h can use the Westerschelde tunnel. Safety was a top priority during the construction of the tunnel, making the Westerschelde tunnel one of the safest in Europe.

Tunnel location: Google Maps, Google Earth.

Toll rate at 2023:

The toll station is located on the north side of the tunnel. Payment for the tunnel can be made in cash (in euros) or by credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, DKV, Routex and EuroShell).

Kiltunnel

The tunnel is located in Dordrecht (South Holland). The total length of the tunnel is 901 m. The length of the closed part of the tunnel is 406 m.

Tunnel location: Google Maps, Google Earth.

Toll rate at 2023:

Pedestrians and cyclists can also use the tunnel.

Parking in Netherlands

Parking is not allowed near black and white or yellow curbs. Incorrectly parked vehicles can be towed to a fine parking lot (fine from € 90) or their wheel is blocked. Parking in areas designated for the disabled is punishable by a fine of € 360.

P+R — Parking

There is an acute shortage of parking spaces in Amsterdam and other major cities. In order to reduce congestion, a system of intercept parking ("Park + Ride") has been introduced in many cities. The driver parks in a specially organized place, outside or on the outskirts of the city, and then gets to the city center by public transport.

From February 1, 2014, the following tariffs have been set for P+R parking:

• parking on weekdays until 10:00 am - € 8 for the first 24 hours, and then € 1 for every next 24 hours;
• parking on weekdays after 10:00 am - € 1 for 24 hours;
• on Saturday and Sunday - € 1 for 24 hours

The cost of the GVB card is added to the parking price:

• for 1 person: € 5
• for 2 persons: € 5
• for 3 persons: € 5.90
• for 4 persons: € 6.80
• for 5 persons: € 7.70

Below is a map of P+R parking lots in Amsterdam.

All parking lots are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except for P+R Bos en Lommer (from 7 am to 10 pm). All parking lots are guarded, but it is not recommended to leave valuables in the salon.

P-Zone parking

Almost all parking in cities is paid. In such parking lots (marked with the appropriate sign "P-Zone") purchase parking tickets. Parking tickets are sold in special vending machines (usually gray or yellow) on the side of the road.

The parking ticket must be placed on the dashboard under the windshield. The absence of such a ticket can lead to the fact that the parking police will block the wheel of the car and issue a fine.

Blue Zone parking

To park in such a parking lot, you need a parking disc with a time stamp. These discs can be purchased from auto club offices, tobacco shops and police stations.

Map of Netherlands roads

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Road rules in Netherlands

Speed limits

Standard speed limits in France (unless otherwise indicated on the signs).

Cars (to 3.5 tons) and motorcycles:

• built-up areas - 50 km/h
• outside built-up areas - 80 km/h
• expressway - 100 km/h
• motorway - 130 km/h

Cars with trailers:

• built-up areas - 50 km/h
• outside built-up areas - 80 km/h
• expressway - 90 km/h
• motorway - 90 km/h

Cars with trailers and motorhomes (above 3.5 tons):

• built-up areas - 50 km/h
• outside built-up areas - 80 km/h
• expressway - 80 km/h
• motorway - 80 km/h

It is forbidden to drive vehicles on motorways whose speed does not exceed 60 km/h in technical specifications. Fine - € 360.

Speed cameras

There are many fixed speed cameras in the Netherlands that take pictures of cars that are not following the speed limits.

Also on 12 main motorways there are systems for measuring average speed over long distances. If the average speed is higher than the maximum allowed, the driver will receive a violation penalty.

Location of speed cameras  in Dutch.

Experiment to increase the speed to 130 km/h

Since March 1, 2011, on some sections of motorways, the maximum speed has been increased to 130 km/h. During the experiment, the impact on infrastructure, traffic safety and the environment was studied.

Sections where the speed was increased to 130 km/h:

• A7 Wognum – Zurich
• A6 Almere Buiten-Oost – Joure
• A16 Moerdijk – Breda
• A2 Everdingen – Deil
• A17 Moerdijk – Bergen op Zoom
• A58 Bergen op Zoom – Vlissingen
• A32 Steenwijk – Heerenveen
• A37 Hoogeveen – Klazienaveen

Based on the results of the experiment, the government decided to establish from 1 September 2012 the upper speed limit on all motorways - 130 km/h. Exceptions are sections of motorways where this cannot be done due to negative environmental or road safety impacts.

The total length of motorways subject to the new speed limits is about 1,400 km (over 60% of all Dutch motorways).

On 900 km of motorways, the new restrictions will be in effect around the clock. And in the rest of the sections, the speed limit will be adjusted dynamically and applied whenever the traffic situation allows.

In addition, since July 1, 2012, the maximum speed on motorways near large cities has been increased from 80 km/h to 100 km/h.

The map below shows the motorways in the Netherlands with their speed limit.

List of motorways with the maximum speed in the Netherlands as of 23/06/2017 (278 Кб)

Alcohol

The maximum permitted level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.5 ‰.

If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream exceeds the allowable, a fine will be imposed:

• from 0.51 ‰ to 0.80 ‰ - € 325
• from 0.81 ‰ to 1.00 ‰ - € 425
• from 1.01 ‰ to 1.15 ‰ - € 550
• from 1.16 ‰ to 1.30 ‰ - € 650
• above 1.30 ‰ - till € the case will considered in court

For drivers whose driving experience does not exceed 5 years, as well as for moped drivers not older than 24 years, the maximum permissible blood alcohol level is 0.2 ‰.

If the blood alcohol level of such drivers is in the range of 0.21 ‰ up to 0.5 ‰, then the fine will be € 325.

Dipped headlights

Dipped headlights is not required when driving in the daytime. Dipped headlights should be turned on in poor visibility conditions.

Fog lights may only be used if weather conditions require it. The front fog lights can be turned on in fog, snow or rain, i.e. when visibility is severely limited.

Rear fog lights can only be used in fog or snow when visibility is less than 50 meters. Fog lights should not be used during heavy rain.

Fine — € 120.

Children in cars

Children under 18 years of age and less than 135 cm tall may only travel when using suitable child restraint systems appropriate for their weight.

Children under 3 years old can only be transported in special child restraints. Child seats must comply with European safety requirements ECE R44 / 04.

Fine — € 130.

Seat belts

Seat belts is mandatory for both front and rear passengers.

Fine — € 130.

Mobile phone

The use of a mobile phone while driving is restricted to use of a hands-free device.

Fine — € 230.

Window Tinting

The degree of light transmission of the windshield must be at least 75%, the front side windows must be at least 70%.

For rear windows, the degree of light transmission is not regulated, provided that the vehicle is equipped with a rear-view mirror on the side opposite to the driver.

Fine — € 230.

Fines

Fines can be paid directly to the police officer on the spot of the violation. In the case of illegal parking, the police can impose a fine on the spot or tow the car to a parking fine.

Traffic fines in Netherlands:

The following tolerances apply when measuring speed:

• Till 100 km/h — 3 km/h of measured speed
• Above 100 km/h — 3% of measured speed

This means that the lower limit of fines on most roads starts with a speeding of 4 km/h. Only on motorways where the speed of 130 km/h is allowed, there is no minimum border, and fines start with a speeding of 1 km/h.

The table of speeding fines in the Netherlands (EUR):

If the speed exceeds 30 km/h (over 40 km/h on the motorway), the case will be considered in court. If the speed exceeds 50 km/h, the driver will be automatically revoked.

Useful information

Fuel prices

В Нидерландах доступен неэтилированный бензин (Ongelood 95 и 98) и дизельное топливо. Газовые заправки (LPG) имеются в большом количестве.

Национальная средняя розничная цена (GLA) устанавливается ежедневно на основе средних национальных розничных цен пяти крупнейших нефтяных компаний (Shell, BP, Esso, Texaco и Total).

Trends gasoline prices in Netherlands for last years.

In the country, it is allowed to carry gasoline in cans in a car.

Emergency phone numbers

• European emergency number - 112

Compulsory to carry in car

In the Netherlands, there are no requirements for equipment that must be carried in a car.

Winter equipment

Winter tires

The use of winter tires in Netherlands is optional.

Spiked tires

Spike tires are prohibited.

Snow chains

The use of snow chains is prohibited.

Optional equipment and other rules

Warning triangle - must be used in case of an accident or stop. Therefore, although it is not on the list of mandatory equipment, it is better to have it in the car.

First aid kit.

Reflective jacket.

The use of radar detectors is prohibited. For its use, a fine of € 420 with the confiscation of the device.