Seat belts and children
- Everyone must wear a seat belt in every seat that has one, front and back.
- The driver is responsible for passengers under 18.
- Children shorter than 1.35 m must use an approved child seat or booster seat. A baby never travels on someone's lap.
- A rear-facing child seat on the front passenger seat: switch off the passenger airbag.
Alcohol and medicines
- Experienced drivers: maximum 0.5 per mille (0.22 mg/l in breath).
- Beginning drivers (first 5 years with a licence): maximum 0.2 per mille.
- Refusing a breath test is a criminal offence.
- Medicines with a yellow warning sticker can affect your driving. Read the leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Phone
- Holding a phone while driving is forbidden — also when you are stopped at a red light.
- Hands-free calling is allowed, but keep it short.
- Navigation is allowed with the phone in a fixed holder.
Lights and visibility
- In the dark and in poor visibility use dipped headlights, also in lit streets and always in tunnels.
- Full beam only when you do not dazzle anyone.
- Rear fog light only when visibility is less than 50 metres because of fog or snowfall.
Your car and yourself
- Minimum tread depth for car tyres: 1.6 mm. Winter tyres are not mandatory in the Netherlands.
- Feeling tired? Stop in a safe place. Plan a break about every 2 hours.
- Before opening your door, check your mirror and look over your shoulder for cyclists.