As of March 1, 2022, new rules for driving regulations and traffic fines have been in effect in the Netherlands. The Dutch government hopes the new system will ensure the punishment fits the severity of the driving offence.
These new rules and rates came into effect on March 1:
Motorists who are found holding and / or using their mobile phones when behind the wheel now face harsher penalties, as the fine has been increased from 250 to 350 euros.
Failing to give way to the emergency services (i.e. the police, fire services, or an ambulance) is now considered a criminal offence, with drivers facing a fine of 350 euros instead of 250 euros.
Anyone behind the wheel of a vehicle in which children are found not to be wearing a seatbelt risks a fine of 220 euros (increased from 150 euros).
Drivers who don’t drive in the right lane as much as possible (i.e. drive in the left lane unnecessarily) now face fines of 220 euros instead 150 euros.
Vehicles driving less than 10 kilometres an hour over the speed limit on Dutch highways face slightly lighter penalties, with fines for drivers being cut by 15 percent. Similarly, a fine-free rate now applies to the first 3 kilometres on roads with a speed limit of 130 kilometres an hour.
Drivers causing unnecessary and / or excessive noise with their vehicles are now fined 250 euros, compared to the previous 400-euro fine.
Cars illegally parked in a disabled parking spot now face a fine of 310 euros instead of 400 euros.
The Dutch government has made a number of adjustments to penalties for both minor and more severe driving offences, in the hopes that the new fines will “punish serious and dangerous traffic violations more severely and relatively minor traffic violations less harshly."