ACCESS NL > Relocating to the Netherlands > First three months > Transportation in the Netherlands > Driving and parking
Driving and parking
You must have a valid licence, recognised by the Dutch Authority, and be at least 18 years old to drive a car in the Netherlands. You must also have a third party insurance and have your vehicle registered.
General driving information
You drive on the right side of the road.
Speed limits, unless otherwise marked:
- 50km/h in the city
- 80km/h on other roads
- 130km/h on motorways unless otherwise indicated.
Traffic issues?
You may like to check traffic issues on www.trafficnet.nl
Parking?
Parking is regulated in the Netherlands. If the parking area is not indicated as free, you may need a permit to park. There are various options for paying for parking: by cash, chip, bank cards or via your mobile phone. There are park and ride (P+R) schemes in most cities, and car sharing schemes such as Green Wheels and Connect Car.
The Municipality of The Hague began adapting the on-street ticket dispensers for bank card transactions in September 2012. Parking with coins will become a relic of the past. The parking metres in the city centre will be the first to switch over.
Road traffic signs and Regulations
From the website of the Ministry of Transport and Public, you can download the brochure ‘Road Traffic Signs and Regulations’ www.verkeerenwaterstaat.nl
More Information
www.greenwheels.com/nl/Home/Particulieren/Home.html
www.rdw.nl (The Department of Road Transport)