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The Netherlands is a beautiful place to visit and each year thousands of Brits take their cars on a road trip around the country of Tulips, Windmillls and Marco Van Basten.
If you have a holiday coming up that entails driving around this scenic and famously flat country, then you are more than likely in the process of making sure you know the rules of the road.
The Netherlands does have some nuances which make it a different driving experience compared to the UK, so it is important that you are prepared for this before you travel.
At the most basic level, to drive in the Netherlands you need to be over 18 and hold a full valid driving license. If your driving licence is from an EU or EEA country (this includes the UK) then this should be all you need. An International Driving Permit is not required for UK drivers.
If you take your car over on the ferry, or through the Euro Tunnel, then you will need to ensure that you have the following documentation with you at all times when driving in the Netherlands:
On top of the documents mentioned above, it is a good idea to also have the following items in your car when driving abroad:
Avoid taking meat or dairy products into the country. These are not allowed. It is also best to stay clear of bringing in fresh fruit, vegetables and plants.
You will need to make sure that you have the correct mark on your car when driving in the Netherlands. This used to be a GB sticker. However as of the 28th of September 2021, the correct mark is now ‘UK’.
All vehicles that are registered in the UK must have this identification on them.
First, make sure you know that in the Netherlands motorists are required to drive on the right-hand side of the road. If you are overtaking, this happens on the left.
On roundabouts if you are joining, you must give way to vehicles which are already driving on the roundabout.
If you are in a city or town, buses pulling away from bus stops should be given the right of way.
You are also not allowed to use your horn at night unless it is an emergency. During the day the horn should only be used in moderation. There are struct penalties for someone who has been deemed to be misusing their car horn.
The law around seatbelts is very clear. If your car has them installed all passengers must wear them. Failure to wear seatbelts will result in a €180 fine.
Similarly, children must be seated in an appropriate child seat for their age and height. The seat must meet the safety standard ECE 44/03.
There are 3 main speed limits within the Netherlands. These are:
There is no set fine for being caught speeding. Your fine will depend on the speed at which you were travelling and the road type you were caught on.
In extreme circumstances you can face a suspension if caught.
It’s also worth noting that speed camera detectors are illegal in the Netherlands. So, make sure that if your phone or GPS system has this function that you switch it off.
The limit for most motorists in the Netherlands is 0.05% - which is less than that of England’s and aligned with Scotland's regulations.
If you are caught over the limit, then you face a fine. In extreme cases you can also have your driving license confiscated and face possible imprisonment.
A number of cities in the Netherlands now have Low Emission Zones (called Milieuzone in Dutch). These restrict access to HGVs and in some cases older cars and vans.
The main cities which have Milieuzones are Utrecht, Rotterdam, Arnhem and Maastricht.
Here are some useful Dutch phrases should you get into any trouble when driving in the Netherlands:
With the right knowledge, and the correct documentation, you can be assured of enjoying a lovely trip through the Netherlands in your car.
So, make sure you pack everything you need, exchange your Sterling for Euros, plan you journey well and then set off and enjoy your time in this wonderful, culturally-rich country.
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