Guide to Driving in Netherlands

The Netherlands is famous for its road infrastructure. There are some excellent highways which connect major cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam. The good thing about these roads is that there are no taxes implied. However, there is a small tax that needs to be paid in order to use all the Dutch roads. The condition of the roads is just excellent, almost asking you to exceed the limit. But this is the last thing you want to do because the Netherland police has no mercy when it comes to speeders. Speeding cameras are mounted mostly on main roads and on motorways. In cities like Rotterdam, a tram is not a spectacular view; remember that it has the right of view unless signaled differently. You must also allow the passengers to get on and off the tram if there is no refuge. Traffic is on the right here and overtakes are on the left. In unmarked intersection, the good-old right of way rule applies: you must give way to vehicles coming from your left. You need to give way to bikes as well.

The police vehicles in the Netherlands wear distinctive marks. The base is white and the stripes are a combination of blue and orange. All the police cars have the word ‘POLITIE’ printed on the side doors. The light beacons are blue and can sometimes be represented by a single spinning bulb. Several documents are mandatory for tourists who want to drive around the Netherlands: third party insurance, identification card, domestic driver’s license and car’s registration certificate. Of course, if you’re from outside of Europe you need an international driver’s permit.

Essential Driving Information

• Seatbelts are mandatory for all the occupants of a vehicle, including the ones in the rear seats.
• It’s considered illegal to hold a mobile phone in hand while driving. The only way to use such a device is by attaching a hands-free to it.
• Dipped beam should be used when the visibility is decreased. During the nighttime is mandatory.
• The ‘blue disk’ rule is applied all across the Netherlands when it comes to parking. Visit the nearest police station or tobacco shop in order to get one.