Speed limitNetherlands

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Netherlands. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


6. Speed limit

A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.

A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.

Wognum built-up-area sign with a 50 km/h speed limit on Kerkweg. (Wognum, Netherlands)
Wikimedia.org • Dqfn13 • CC BY-SA
Which general speed limits should car drivers know in the Netherlands?

For an ordinary car without a trailer, the general maxima are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h on ordinary rural roads and 100 km/h on roads designated as an autoweg. Most motorways are limited to 100 km/h from 06:00 to 19:00, with signed exceptions. Night-time motorway limits depend on the section and can be 100, 120 or 130 km/h.

🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 19–22, 42, 62–63a; Annex 1 A1–A5

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference

🔗 rijkswaterstaat.nl • Rijkswaterstaat — current motorway limits, time panels and electronic limits

Is every Dutch motorway limited to 100 km/h during the day?

No. Most are limited to 100 km/h between 06:00 and 19:00, but selected sections have authorised daytime 130 km/h limits and others have lower restrictions. Read the speed signs and their time panels for the road you are using.

🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 19–22, 42, 62–63a; Annex 1 A1–A5

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference

🔗 rijkswaterstaat.nl • Rijkswaterstaat — current motorway limits, time panels and electronic limits

Start of a speed limit. Start of a speed limit.

English • Traffic sign A1 • Maximum speed.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord A1 • Maximumsnelheid.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990, bijlage 1

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
SVG version by Bouwe Brouwer • Public domain • Source revision 2012-11-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the speed limit. End of the speed limit.

English • Traffic sign A2 • End of maximum speed limit.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord A2 • Einde maximumsnelheid.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990, bijlage 1

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
SVG version by Bouwe Brouwer • Public domain • Source revision 2012-11-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Which Dutch limit applies when an electronic sign shows a lower speed?

Use the lowest applicable displayed limit on the fixed signs and overhead traffic signals. Electronic restrictions can respond to congestion, incidents or other conditions. A higher number on a fixed roadside sign does not permit you to ignore a lower active limit.

🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 19–22, 42, 62–63a; Annex 1 A1–A5

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference

🔗 rijkswaterstaat.nl • Rijkswaterstaat — current motorway limits, time panels and electronic limits

1 Netherlands 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Slope 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Priority road 18 Railway crossing 19 School area 20 Overtaking 21 Crossing animals 22 Roadworks 23 Weight limit 24 Radar speed sign 25 Selective barriers 26 Low-emission zone 27 Priority at the next junction 28 Traffic lights 29 Traffic lights warning 30 Road markings 31 Speed feedback 32 Traffic mirror 33 Emergency telephone 34 Cycling route 35 Parking 36 No parking 37 No stopping 38 Park and ride 39 Kiss and ride 40 Parking disc 41 Disabled parking 42 Traffic management 43 Merging 44 Reversing 45 Uncontrolled crossroad 46 Advisory cycle lane 47 Rush-hour lane 48 Emergency exit 49 Oversize load 50 City limit 51 Parking zone 52 Axle weight limit 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Dangers 56 Equestrian trail 57 Cyclist 58 Truck 59 Bus 60 Police 61 Ambulance 62 Bicycle parking station 63 Tram lights 64 European emission standard 65 Pothole 66 Path 67 Particulates 68 Air pollution 69 Rush hour 70 Road code 71 Street gutter 72 Cargo bike 73 Forestry vehicle 74 Construction vehicle 75 Semi-trailer truck 76 Trolleybus 77 Speed pedelec 78 Delivery vehicle 79 Idling 80 Tow truck 81 Four-wheel drive 82 No vehicles 83 Bicycle 84 Motorcycle equipment 85 Rail track 86 Caravan 87 Trailer 88 Tow hitch 89 Fire truck 90 Siren 91 Convoy 92 Emergency vehicle lighting 93 Agricultural machinery 94 Electric bicycle 95 Electric vehicle 96 Pedelec 97 Quadricycle 98 Microcar 99 All-terrain vehicle 100 Van ...