Road signs in the Netherlands

If you are going to be driving in the Netherlands, you will need to understand the different road signs and their meanings before hitting the road. There are over 100 road signs contained in the Dutch Road Traffic Act, including speed limit signs, warning signs, and informational signs. 

Whether you’re taking a test to get a Dutch driving licence, or just brushing up ahead of a visit to the Netherlands, this page provides an overview of the most important road signs in the Netherlands.

Road signs in the Netherlands & their meanings

The Netherlands has a uniform and comprehensive system of traffic signage - all road signs have standardised shapes, colours and pictograms that closely conform to European standards. If you are used to driving in Europe, then many signs may look familiar to you. The Dutch sign system is regularly updated to keep pace with changes in traffic and transportation, with old signage being replaced with new ones. The most recent overhaul was in 1990. 

In the official Dutch Traffic Code, all signs are assigned a unique number. Road signs in the Netherlands are officially divided into 11 main categories: 

• A: Speed restrictions
• B: Priority
• C: Road closed warnings
• D: Signs giving positive instructions
• E: Parking and stopping
• F: Other signs giving orders
• G: Traffic regulations
• H: Built-up area
• J: Warning signs
• K: Direction signs
• L: Information signs

For ease of understanding, this page has grouped the signs slightly differently. We have included the most important signs from the Dutch Traffic Code of 1990. 

Vehicle symbols

Traffic signs in the Netherlands, as in other countries, use a set of standard symbols to indicate the type of vehicle being referred to on the sign. Some symbols also include other types of vehicle as well. For instance, the “motor vehicles” symbol indicates that the sign applies not only to cars but all kinds of motor vehicles. The following is an overview of these symbols and their meanings. 

Motor vehicles with two wheels	Passenger vehicles	Motor vehicles towing trailers	Heavy goods vehicles
Pedestrians	Bicycles	Mopeds & motor-assisted bicycles	Motorcycles
Buses	Trams	Agricultural vehicles	Vehicles carrying hazardous substances

Speed limit signs

Speed limit signs in the Netherlands state the maximum speed limit in kilometres per hour (km/h). Most road users will be familiar with the maximum speed limit sign that shows a number inside a red circle. The Netherlands also uses recommended minimum speed signs (for instance on the motorway) to indicate that vehicles should not drive slower than the indicated speed. Speed limits are ended with a black and white sign, which indicates that the statutory speed limit now applies. 

Here are some speed limit signs you might see in the Netherlands: 

Maximum speed limit Do not exceed the stated speed limit (km/h)	End of speed limit The statutory speed limit now applies	Speed limit on an electronic sign Do not exceed the stated speed limit (km/h)
Recommended speed You are suggested to drive at the recommended speed (km/h)	End of recommended speed

Priority (right-of-way) signs

Priority signs indicate who has right of way (priority) at a junction. If you come from a country where you drive on the left, priority will work differently to what you are used to. For instance, at a roundabout, you give way to traffic from the left. 

These priority signs are in use in the Netherlands: 

Priority road You have right of way at all intersections on this road until you see a “Stop”, “Yield” or “End of priority road” sign	End of priority road Normal right-of-way rules now apply at all intersections	Crossroads with priority You have the right of way at the next crossroads	Priority intersection left You have right of way over the minor road from the left
Priority intersection right You have right of way over the minor road from the right	Yield You must give way to traffic on at the intersection	Stop You must come to a complete stop and give way to traffic at the intersection	Priority over oncoming traffic You have right of way over oncoming traffic when the road narrows ahead
Yield to oncoming traffic You must give way to oncoming traffic when the road narrows ahead

Road closed warning signs

The following signs indicate when a road is closed to traffic, closed to certain types or sizes of vehicles, or closed to traffic coming from a certain direction. A red circle sign indicates a sign is prohibitive, meaning you should not do the action depicted. 

Road closed All vehicles are prohibited; a supplemental sign may indicate exceptions	No entry No entry in this direction for any vehicle; a supplemental sign may indicate exceptions	One-way street Traffic may only travel in the direction indicated	One-way street Traffic may only travel in the direction indicated
Two-way street Traffic is permitted in both directions	Motor vehicles prohibited No entry for any vehicle with more than two wheels	Heavy goods vehicles prohibited	Buses prohibited
Buses and trucks prohibited	Agricultural vehicles prohibited	Agricultural vehicles, mopeds and bicycles prohibited	Motor vehicles towing trailers prohibited
Motorcycles prohibited	All motor vehicles prohibited	Mopeds and mobility scooters prohibited	Bicycles prohibited
Mopeds, mobility scooters and bicycles prohibited	Pedestrians prohibited	Vehicles carrying hazardous substances prohibited	Length restriction No vehicle or combination of vehicles over length shown
Horizontal clearance No vehicles over maximum width shown	Vertical clearance No vehicles over maximum height shown	Axel weight limit No vehicles over maximum weight on axel shown	Weight limit No vehicles over maximum weight shown
Environmental zone Closed to passenger cars and commercial vehicles, trucks and buses with diesel engines; a supplemental sign may indicate which emission classes are allowed to enter	End of environmental cone	Hard shoulder open Hard shoulder can be used as a traffic lane	Merge from hard shoulder If you are in the hard shoulder lane, you must merge
Hard shoulder closed Do not drive in the hard shoulder lane past this point

Traffic signs giving positive instructions

Circular blue signs in the Netherlands are prescriptive, meaning you should do the action depicted. The following signs with positive instructions are as follows: 

Roundabout All traffic must turn counter-clockwise around central island; yield to the left	Pass by on the right All traffic must pass obstacle on the side indicated by the arrow (can be left or right)	Pass on either side Traffic can pass the obstacle on either side	Ahead only All traffic must continue straight ahead
Turn right ahead All traffic must turn; can be left or right turn	Ahead or turn only All traffic must continue straight ahead or turn; can be left or right	Turn either way All traffic must follow one of the directions indicated on the sign

Parking and stopping signs

To avoid getting a parking ticket, make sure you follow signs relating to parking - both prohibitive and prescriptive signs. 

Parking prohibition signs

These signs show where parking or stopping is forbidden:

No parking You may not park or leave your vehicle on this side of the road	No stopping You may not stop or stand on this side of the road	Moped & bicycle parking ban You may not park your moped or bicycle here

Parking allowed signs:

These signs show you where you are permitted to park:

Parking area Parking is permitted in this area	Taxi stand Parking area reserved for taxis; other vehicles may not park here	Disabled parking Parking for disabled people only	Loading/unloading Parking space intended for immediate loading and unloading of goods
Reserved parking space Parking only permitted for the vehicle category indicated on the sign	Parking on pavement allowed Cars may park half on the pavement and half on the road	Parking for charging electric vehicles You may only park here while charging your electric vehicle	Permit holders only Parking reserved for permit holders
Carpool parking Parking reserved for car share services	Parking zone with disc You may use a parking disc to park within this zone for the length of time indicated	End of parking zone	Park and ride facilities

Other signs giving orders

These signs give mandatory orders - things that you should or should not do. Note that they are orders rather than suggestions and must be adhered to. Once again, a red circle indicates that the sign shows something you shouldn’t do, while a blue circle or square indicates something you should do. Both signs are usually ended by a black-and-white sign, with some exceptions. 

No passing You may not overtake other vehicles (except bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles)	End of no passing zone	No passing for heavy goods vehicles Heavy goods vehicles are not allowed to overtake other vehicles (except bicycles, mopeds and motorcycles)	End of no passing zone for heavy goods vehicles
No U-turns	End of all prohibitions indicated by other signs	End of all prohibitions indicated by other signs on an electronic sign	Stop A supplemental sign may indicate who or what the sign applies to
Agricultural vehicle lane Lane is for exclusive use of agricultural vehicles	End of agricultural vehicle lane	Bus lane All other vehicles prohibited	End of bus lane
Tram lane All other vehicles prohibited	End of tram lane	Tram and bus lane All other vehicles prohibited	End of tram and bus lane
Heavy goods vehicle and bus lane All other vehicles prohibited	End of heavy goods vehicle and bus lane	Heavy goods vehicle lane All other vehicles prohibited	End of heavy goods vehicle lane

Traffic regulation signs

Traffic regulation signs - also called traffic rules signs - give more information about the road you are using, and the rules that apply to it. 

Motorway entrance Motorway traffic regulations now apply	End of motorway Motorway traffic regulations end	Expressway entrance Expressway traffic regulations now apply	End of expressway
Living street Pedestrians and cyclists have priority over cars	End of living street	Footpath Pedestrians only	End of footpath
Bridleway	End of bridleway	Cycle path Pedal bicycles only	End of cycle path
Cycle and moped path Pedal bicycles and mopeds only	End of cycle and moped path	Cycle path	End of cycle path
Built-up area You are entering a built-up area - traffic rules apply	End of built-up area You are leaving a built-up area - new traffic rules apply

Warning signs

Warning signs give advance warning of hazards on or near the road. Warning signs in the Netherlands are equilateral triangles with a thick red border and white background. They contain a recognisable pictogram explaining the danger.  

Uneven road surface Reduce speed	Curve right	Curve left
Double curve right	Double curve left	Steep upgrade Degree of ascent is shown
Steep downgrade Degree of descent is shown	Dangerous intersection ahead No right-of-way at next intersection; yield to traffic from the right	Roundabout
Level crossing with barrier ahead	Level crossing without barrier ahead	Level crossing with single track
Level crossing with two or more tracks	Trams	Moveable bridge
Roadworks There may be workers or machinery in the road	Road narrows	Road narrows right
Road narrows left	Slippery when wet or dirty	Children Schools and playgrounds in the area
Pedestrian crossing	Pedestrians	Cyclists
Loose gravel The road surface makes sudden accelerating, braking or maneuvering unsafe	Shore/riverbank There is an unguarded riverbank or landing ahead	Wild animal crossing Use dipped headlights and be prepared to brake suddenly
Cattle	Two-way traffic Oncoming traffic may be unexpected, for instance if leaving a one-way street	Aircraft
Strong crosswind	Traffic signals ahead	Congestion hazard Traffic jams common in this area; prepare to slow down or stop
Danger of accidents	Reduced visibility due to snow, rain or fog	Ice/snow The bridge or road ahead may be icy
General danger A supplementary sign will specify the danger	Speed bumps	Retractable bollard Retractable bollard in use to regulate access to certain areas
Level crossing distance markers

Direction signs

Direction signs provide information and directions for road users. Signs for motorists typically have a blue background, while signs for cyclists and moped riders have a white background.

Low level motorway sign showing destinations and the motorway number	Advance warning motorway exit sign	Service station information sign
High level motorway sign showing lane information for destinations and the motorway number	Information sign showing destinations and motorway numbers	Information sign showing destinations and non-motorway road number
Sign for cyclists and moped riders showing destinations and distances with cycle route numbers	Sign for cyclists and moped riders showing destinations and distances, with alternative route (in green) to one of the destinations	Diversion sign showing alternative route to destination
Information sign showing destinations, tourist sights and local facilities	Information sign showing lane information for different destinations	Signpost within a built-up area showing district names
Signpost within a built-up area showing district numbers	Route for transporting hazardous materials

Information signs

Finally, the following information signs are all also in use in the Netherlands:

Underpass Height is indicated	Pedestrian crossing Crossing ahead where pedestrians have right of way	Bus and tram stop	Bus stop
Tram stop	Get in lane	Lane ending	Lane turns off
Number of through lanes	No through road	Advance warning of a no-through road	Advance warning of a traffic restriction for the direction shown
Lane width restriction Width restriction is in effect for indicated lane only	Lane width restriction Restriction applies to indicated lane only	Tunnel ahead Length of tunnel is indicated	Hard shoulder
Breakdown bay Roadside bay can be used in cases of emergency; other uses prohibited	Emergency telephone	Fire extinguisher	Fire extinguisher and emergency telephone
Nearest tunnel exit Arrow indicates direction and distance to exit	Passing area left	Passing area right	Road barrier

Traffic signage in the Netherlands

Traffic signs can be displayed in multiple ways in the Netherlands. You should look out for the following: 

Onderbord (a traffic sign below a main sign)

In the Netherlands, sometimes a traffic sign features an additional sign underneath it, this is called an “onderbord” in Dutch. This sign provides further explanation of the traffic sign, for example, to whom or whom not the sign applies.

Matrix displays

Matrix displays above or next to the road have the same meaning as regular traffic signs. Is there a different maximum speed on the matrix board than on the traffic sign? The lowest speed applies!

A red cross on the matrix display means that you are not allowed to use that particular lane. If you do, you could be fined up to 230 euros. 

Traffic zones

The word “zone” may be displayed above a traffic sign. This means that the relevant prohibition applies for the entire zone, until you come across an “end zone” sign.