Netherlands summary
Key facts
Official language(s)
Currency
Population
Time zone
Calling code
Drive on the
Member of the EU
Dutch
Euro
16,500,156
GMT + 1
31
Right
Yes
Local weather
Amsterdam
-
Sat-8° | 0° -
Sun-8° | -4° -
Mon-10° | -4° -
Tue-6° | -3°
Speed limits
- Motorways:
- 100 -120kmh (62-74mph) – varies (signposted) Occasionally 80kmh (50mph) (see signs)
- Open roads:
- 80kmh (50mph) – 100kmh (62mph) varies (signposted)
- Towns:
- 50kmh (31mph) Residential areas: 30kmh (18mph) (signposted)
Road Safety
-
Alcohol limit:
- 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
- 0.000225 in breath
- Those under 24 years of age may have 20mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
-
Use of mobile phone whilst driving:
- It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone when driving and can result in an on the spot fine of €150
- It is legal to use a hands free unit
-
Seat belts:
- Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seated occupants if fitted
- Children under the age of 12 years and shorter than 1.5 metres may not travel as front seat passengers unless suitable child seat is fitted
-
Traffic lights regulations:
- Red – Stop
- Amber – Stop
- Green – Go
Costs
- Road tolls:
- There are no road tolls in Holland
- On the spot fines:
- On the spot fines are issued
- Drivers who do not have a home address in Holland have to pay all fines on the spot
General motoring advice
- Rush hour in built up areas:
- 0700 – 1000hrs
- 1500 – 1830hrs
- Fuel:
- Most fuel stations on motorways are open 24hrs
- Smaller stations in residential areas are open from approximately 0800 – 2000hrs
- All major credit cards are accepted in large fuel stations
- Euro Super Unleaded 95, Superplus Unleaded 98, Diesel and LPG are available
- Parking advice:
- A system operated by Blue zones is functional in towns and cities
- Blue zones are marked by a sign and a blue line – in these zones parking is only allowed in dedicated parking spaces
- Parking discs for these areas can be obtained from police stations or fuel stations
- Make sure you take notice of the maximum parking time allowed in that particular zone (see sign)