DRIVING IN THE NETHERLANDS

The flat, windmill-punctuated landscape of the Netherlands makes ideal cycling territory. In a country where the 15 million inhabitants own 12 million bicycles, drivers are expected to treat cyclists with courtesy. There is a plentiful network of cycle lanes, while in home zones pedestrians and cyclists coming from the right have priority, and you should drive at a walking pace (lOkph). Traffic density in the Netherlands is the highest in Europe, so expect to encounter congestion in towns.

Give way to the right

As in most of Europe, give way to the right unless you are on a priority road indicated by a yellow diamond. You must give way to buses pulling away from bus stops in built-up areas. Trams always take priority. You should normally overtake them on the right, but only with caution and without inconveniencing passengers getting on or off the tram. If there is insufficient room to pass on the right then you may overtake, with caution, on the left.

Parking

Blue zone parking systems operate in most towns, with free parking discs available from police stations.

If parking more than 30 metres from a street lamp at night you must show parking lights. And be careful when parking on main roads in Amsterdam: many allow metered parking for most of the day but cars still there when the rush hour starts will be towed. Check signs for the precise times as recovering a car costs over £100. Do not park on roads marked Stop-verbod, and do not park against the direction of traffic flow.

As in most European countries, it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. Police are authorised to impose on-the-spot fines.

           

Speed limits	Urban	Open road	Motorway
Car	50 kph	80 -100 kph	120 kph
Towing	50 kph	80 kph	80 kph
Traffic regulations
Essential equipment	Warning triangle
Minimum driving age	18 years
Drink-drive limit	50mg alcohol per 100ml blood
Child in front seat	Min 12 years/1.5m unless using child restraint
Seat Belt	Compulsory in front and rear seats
Motorcyclists	Must wear crash helmet
Emergency telephone numbers
Police	112
Fire	112
Ambulance	112

Extracted from Haynes Glovebox guide DRIVING ABROAD by Robert Davies. This authoritive guide provides a wealth of information on all aspects of driving abroad.

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