New traffic rules as of 1 May 2009

A number of traffic rules has changed as of 1 May 2009. Here is a summary of the most important changes:

Speed limit for trailers and passenger cars   

• Passenger cars and vans pulling a light trailer may now travel at 90 km/h on main highways and motorways. A light trailer means a trailer with a permitted maximum weight not exceeding 3500 kg. In simple terms, this is the weight of the empty trailer plus the maximum weight of luggage that may be carried. This includes caravans, folding caravans, horse trailers and removal trailers. If the trailer has its own registration, the ‘permitted maximum weight’ will be indicated in the registration. This increase in the speed limit will reduce the difference in speed between cars with trailers and other traffic. 
• Campers with a permitted maximum weight exceeding 3500 kg, derived from trucks, may not exceed 80 km/h on main highways and motorways. For traffic safety reasons, it makes sense for the same speed limit as for ordinary trucks to apply to this type of heavy camper.        

Parking permit

• From now on, a disc-type parking permit may only be placed behind the windscreen of the car. This means an end to misunderstandings about the location of the parking permit in the car. The parking permit must be clearly visible from outside the car. Furthermore, the time of arrival on the parking permit may only be set manually. Parking permits with a mechanism that automatically shifts the arrival time can therefore no longer be used. Banning such devices prevents a parking space from being occupied for too long by the same vehicle. The arrival time may be rounded up to the next half hour or hour when the parking permit is set. This was already the case, but many people were not aware of this. 
• A parking permit must be used in a disabled parking space where there is a sign indicating a maximum parking time. This prevents a vehicle from being in a disabled parking space for too long. Such parking spaces also do not need to have a blue line.       

Microcars and helmets 

• Drivers and passengers of open microcars without seatbelts must now wear helmets. The occupants of such vehicles are very vulnerable. Helmets provide them with the same protection as motorcyclists and moped riders in the event of an accident.        

Motorised bicycles and mobile phones

• It is now forbidden for riders of motorised bicycles to hold a mobile phone. Using a handheld phone on a motorised bicycle presents the same safety risks as on a moped. This ban was already in place for mopeds and microcars, just as for other motorised vehicles.        

Exit lane 

• Drivers travelling in an exit lane after leaving the continuing lane must continue to follow the exit lane. Exit lanes are found particularly on motorways and main highways. The new rule prevents drivers from leaving the continuing lane, passing congested traffic in the continuing lane via the exit lane and then merging into traffic again. Such abuse of the exit lane causes irritation and sometimes even aggression in many road users.        

The following amendment is part of the Vehicles Regulations, also effective 1 May 2009: 

Lights and light type 

• From now on, lights on vehicles must be fitted only with the type of light for which they have been approved. For example, headlights with an HC, HR or HCR code must contain a halogen light. Gas discharge lights (‘xenon lights’) belong in light fittings with a DC, DR or DCR code. Gas discharge lights provide much more light than halogen lights. To ensure that road users are not blinded by them, it is important, particularly for gas discharge lights, for them to be used only in specially designed fittings.       

The Postbus 51 website provides information on traffic, traffic rules, vehicles and roads. You can subscribe to a free newsletter entitled “Geregeld!” at www.postbus51.nl. 

Road Traffic Signs and Regulations is a booklet published by the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management and the regional and provincial road safety agencies. It contains a consumer-friendly brief explanation of road signs and the rules of the road.