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Netherlands Traffic Signs

Most Dutch traffic signs are (virtually) the same as traffic signs in many other EU countries. Here, in particular, Netherlands traffic signs are shown that may differ from those in your home country or differ from familiar road signs in terms of appearance or significance.

City limits

City limits. After this sign, cars and motorcycles are not allowed to go faster than 50 km / h and mopeds and speed pedelecs on a bicycle or moped path are not allowed to go faster than 30 km / h. (On the roadway, a moped or speed pedelec is allowed both inside and outside built-up areas at 45 km / h.).

Priority

Give way to drivers on the intersecting road. You have to give way at this sign, but if nothing is coming, you don’t have to stop first.

Stop and give way to drivers on the intersecting road. At this sign you not only have to give way, but also always stop before crossing or turning onto the intersecting road. If a stop line is drawn on the road (in the cross direction), you must stop before that stop line.

Priority road. This sign shows that you are on a priority road. All other drivers must give way to drivers on the right of way.
Please note: You are not allowed to park along a priority road outside of the city limits.

End of priority road.

Priority intersection. This sign indicates that you have right of way at the next intersection.

Priority intersection side road left. This sign indicates that you have the right of way for drivers arriving on the side road on the left. There is a similar right of way sign for a side road.

Roundabout

Roundabout. This sign warns you that you are approaching a roundabout.

Roundabout, compulsory driving direction. This sign is often located near or on a roundabout and indicates the mandatory driving direction.

Road closed

Road closed in both directions for vehicles and handlers of animals or livestock. You may not enter this road with any vehicle.

One way street

One-way road, closed in this direction to vehicles, riders and handlers of riding or draft animals or livestock. You are not allowed to enter the road from the side where this sign is located. Sometimes this sign has a sign that says ‘Go back’, which is intended to prevent drivers from wrong-way driving.

One way street. You may only enter the road from the side where this sign is located. A plate may state that certain road users, such as cyclists, are allowed to enter the road from both sides.

Mandatory driving direction

Command for all drivers to pass the sign on the side indicated by the arrow.

Command to follow the direction of travel indicated on the sign. There are similar signs for other directions of travel

Command to follow one of the directions of travel indicated on the sign. There are similar signs for other directions of travel.

Dead end street

Dead end street. You cannot continue driving at the end of this road.

Warning signs

A triangular white sign with a red border warns you of possible dangers on the road. The sign indicates what is being warned about. Here we list some common warning signs.

Bad road.

Road bends (sharp) to the right. There are also signs warning of a sharp left turn or s-turns.

Steep slope. There is also a similar Dangerous Descent sign.

Dangerous intersection.

Level crossing with barriers.

Level crossing without barriers.

Moveable bridge.

Work in progress.

Slipgevaar. Slipping hazard.

Children.

Pedestrian crossing.

Traffic lights.

Speed bump.

Danger. The nature of the hazard is indicated on the plate.

Environmental zone

There is an environmental zone for freight traffic in various municipalities. This zone is indicated, among other things, by the Milieuzone traffic sign and the Closed for buses and trucks.

Closed for trucks that do not meet the requirements referred to in Article 86d RVV..

Closed to buses and trucks..

Additional environmental zone information

In the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht, environmental zones have been established that apply not only to freight traffic, but also to certain older delivery vans and passenger cars.
The environmental zones are indicated in different ways. There is often a square white sign with the text ‘Environmental zone’ well before the start of the environmental zone and a round sign with a red border with the vehicle to which the environmental zone applies, for example a passenger car. Underneath it is stated exactly which vehicles are not allowed to enter the environmental zone, for example ‘Diesels from before 2001’.

Car and motorcycle

Speed

The speed is not only indicated on road signs, but often also on kilometer markers.

Maximum speed.

End of speed limit.

Maximum speed on an electronic signaling board.
Note: speeds on this board may also have a red border, but they are speed limits in all cases (and not recommended speeds).

Maximum speed 100 km / h between 6-19h. With this sign you are allowed to drive a maximum of 100 km / h from 6 – 19 hours. Outside the specified time, you can keep to the speed limit that applies to the road. There are similar signs with different speed limits and times.

30 km / h zone. This sign indicates that you are entering a zone where you are not allowed to go faster than 30 km / h. Such a zone is often established in residential areas near schools to improve road safety. There are also 60 km / h zones.

Recommended speed.

Motorway. You may drive a maximum of 130 km / h on a motorway unless otherwise indicated by signs.

Motorway. You may drive a maximum of 100 km / h on a motorway unless otherwise indicated by signs.

Residential area. On a residential area, pedestrians are also allowed to use the roadway. Therefore, a maximum speed of 15 km / h applies here. Watch for children playing.

Road closed

Closed to motor vehicles with more than two wheels..

Closed to motorcycles..

Closed to all motor vehicles..

Closed to motor vehicles with a trailer.

Closed to vehicles which, including the load, are longer than indicated on the sign.

Closed to vehicles which, including the load, are wider than indicated on the sign.

Closed to vehicles which, including the load, are higher than indicated on the sign.

Oncoming traffic

Prohibition for drivers to continue when approaching traffic from the opposite direction.

Drivers from opposite directions must give way to traffic approaching from this direction.

Avoidance place to the right of the road. This sign indicates a place to avoid if the road is too narrow for two cars to pass each other. There is a similar sign for an alternative place to the left of the road.

Overtaking

Prohibition for motor vehicles to overtake each other. Although there are only cars on this sign, the overtaking prohibition also applies to motorcycles.

Prohibition for trucks to overtake motor vehicles.

Turn

Turning ban. This sign applies to all motor vehicles, including a motorcycle.

Tunnel

Traffic tunnel. The length of the tunnel is often stated at the bottom of the sign.

Nearest exit. This sign indicates your distance to the nearest exit and which direction you have to walk to get to that exit.

Safe harbor

Safe harbor. Indicates a stretch of road along a freeway or motorway that should only be used in an emergency.

Rush hour lane

Rush-hour lane open. This sign indicates that an extra lane has been opened as a rush-hour lane due to high traffic. You may drive across the solid line to get to the rush-hour lane.

Clear rush-hour lane. This sign means that you have to leave the rush-hour lane. You may drive across the solid line to leave the rush-hour lane.

End of rush-hour lane. This sign indicates that the rush-hour lane is closed.

Warning signs

Road narrowing. You also have lane narrowing signs on the left or right side only.

Loose stones.

Big animals. Pay attention because a deer or other large animals can cross the road here.

Oncoming traffic.

Crosswind.

Traffic jam.

Accident.

Poor visibility due to snow, rain or fog.

Snow.

Standing still and parking

Prohibition to stand still. You are not allowed to stop or park on the side of the road where this sign is posted. This prohibition does not apply to parking spaces, but it does apply to the verge.

Parking ban. You are not allowed to park on the side of the road where this sign is posted. You are allowed to let passengers board or disembark or load or unload goods here. The parking ban does not apply to parking spaces, but it does apply to the verge.

Parking. This sign can indicate a parking bay, parking strip or parking area.

Disabled parking space. This sign indicates that only disabled people are allowed to park their (disabled) vehicle here and that parking for other vehicles is therefore prohibited.

Parking intended for the immediate loading and unloading of goods. This sign indicates that you may only allow passengers to board or disembark or load or unload goods at this location.

Parking only intended for permit holders. A parking ban applies here, except for permit holders.

Parking zone with mandatory use of a parking disc. No parking longer than the parking duration indicated on the sign.

Parking for switchers on public transport. P + R stands for ‘Parking and driving’.

Parking for carpoolers.

Parking for electric cars. With this sign you are only allowed to park with an electric car that you charge (the plug must be in the car).

Here you will find more information about The Netherlands.