HOLLAND – drives on the right

Please read the general notes in conjunction with those below.

Essential Safety Equipment

• Warning triangle
• Headlamp converters
• GB plate (see note 1)

Recommended Safety Equipment (by the Netherlands and/or EUroadlegal.co.uk)

• Fire extinguisher
• First aid kit
• Reflective vest
• Spare bulbs (see note 2)
• Torch

Seatbelt Requirements
The wearing of front and rear seatbelts is compulsory when fitted.

Children Passengers
Children under 12yrs/1.5m cannot travel in the front seat unless using an appropriate restraint.

Drink Driving Limits
50mg/100ml (UK 80mg/100ml)

Minimum Driving Age
The minimum driving age using a full UK licence is 18

Speed Limits

Speed cameras, speed traps and unmarked vehicles are widely used to monitor speeding; exceeding the maximum speed limit can incur heavy penalties including substantial fines. Be vigilant on motorways where the maximum speed can vary. Overhead illuminated lane indicators - when in use - are mandatory. Never exceed the indicated speed limit where road works are taking place.

Lights
Motorists must use dipped lights after dark and in misty conditions.

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.

Tolls
There are no tolls on the roads in the Netherlands.

Parking
Blue zone parking operates in most towns and free parking discs are available at police stations.  Do not park against the direction of flow of traffic.  At night use parking lights if the vehicle is parked more than 30 metres from a street light.

Fines
Police are empowered to issue on-the-spot fines.

Mobile Phones
Hand-held mobile phones have been banned in the Netherlands. The Ministerie has started a campaign in the Netherlands aimed at reducing the use of handheld mobile phones by drivers. A fine of €138 is imposed on drivers found using a handheld unit whilst driving.

Emergency Numbers
Dial 112 anywhere in the EU to reach the emergency services.

Other Useful Information
As in most of Europe, you must give way to traffic approaching from the right unless you are on a priority road indicated by a yellow diamond.

The Dutch drive on the right and give priority to the right, unless otherwise indicated. They drive "assertively" and do not practice road courtesy. Be particularly careful when using roundabouts: on some you have the right of way when on them but on others right of way must be given to vehicles entering.

Be extra vigilant for trams; they have priority over other traffic and are well known to exercise that right. If a tram or a bus stops in the middle of the road to allow passengers on and off, you must stop.

You must give way to buses pulling away from bus stops in built-up areas.

Useful Words and Phrases

Embassy Details
Address:
British Embassy
Lange Voorhout 10
2514 ED The Hague

Telephone:
+31 (0)70 4270 427

Email:
library@fco.gov.uk

Office Hours:
GMT/BST:
Mon-Fri: 0800-1630

Local Time:
Mon-Fri: 0900-1730

Website:
http://www.britain.nl

Note 1: 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.  Countries outside the EU still require national identification.

Note 2: Regardless of local requirements it is always a wise precaution to carry a spare set of vehicle bulbs and adjust headlamp beams for driving on the right. A spare bulb kit will not prevent a fine if you are travelling with faulty lights, but it may avoid the cost and inconvenience of a garage call out. On some cars it is inadvisable or impossible for anyone other than a qualified technician to change a headlamp bulb or lamp unit e.g. high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and carrying spare bulbs is not an option. However, it is recommended that spare bulbs are carried for any lights which may be easily and/or safely replaced by the owner/driver. Do not forget to ensure that you also carry any tools that might be required to change the various bulbs.

Disclaimer
EUroadlegal has made every effort to ensure that the information contained on this page is accurate and up-to-date.  In most instances the information has been collated from either an official document from the country concerned or from two or more reliable sources.  EUroadlegal cannot be held responsible for any actions resulting from the adherence to or ignoring of the information contained on this page. If you would like to contribute by adding, removing or modifying the data on this page based on your own experience, please us.