Dutch government plans to introduce higher fines for driving offences
By Simone Jacobs
The Dutch government has drawn up a draft decree to increase traffic fine rates from 2025. If this is approved, it would see drivers pay 10 euros more for the majority of common traffic violations.
More expensive fines for driving offences in the Netherlands
The Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB) has stated that the rates for traffic fines in the Netherlands will be adjusted based on inflation. This means that fines will cost drivers around 3,2 percent more in 2025.
According to the Public Prosecution Service (OM), the new rates fine minor violations of traffic rules almost as heavily as more serious offences. For example, motorists found using a mobile phone while driving (i.e. not hands-free) will be fined 440 euros instead of 430 euros and driving in the left lane without a reason will result in a fine of 290 euros, up from 280 euros. Illegally parking in a disabled parking space will cost drivers 510 euros instead of 500 euros.
Amsterdam speeding fines
Speeding fines will also increase and in areas like Amsterdam this could cost drivers a hefty sum. After the new 30 km / h speed limit was introduced in the Dutch capital in December last year, thousands of drivers have received fines for speeding.
On these roads in Amsterdam alone, the CJIB revealed that almost 40.000 speeding tickets have been given out from May to August, amounting to 320 fines per day. The lowest fine for going over the speed limit is 58 euros, while going 50 km / h earns drivers a 266 euro-fine.
Dutch government fills budget gap with traffic fines
Just a year ago, the OM advocated for a reduction in traffic fines in the Netherlands, stating that rising fines could lead to resistance and tensions among drivers. However, the government didn’t heed these warnings and increased rates by 10 percent this year after an 8,6 percent hike in 2023.
The higher rates are reportedly necessary as money is needed to fill a gap in the budget for the Ministry of Justice and Security. With more expensive traffic fines, the government is aiming to collect around 59 million euros from 2028. To do this, there are plans to increase among others, the number of digital speed cameras and other traffic cameras that focus on catching mobile phone use in the car.
Thumb image credit: Renevda / Shutterstock.com
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Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training. Read more