Germany → Netherlands
Driving in the Netherlands when you know Germany
Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.
What's different (5)
Speed limit on the motorway
CriticalGermany · homeNo general limitNo general limit for cars. 130 km/h is the official recommendation, and going faster can mean sharing liability after an accident. Signed limits apply on many stretches.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destination100 km/hDuring the day, 06:00 to 19:00, on nearly all motorways. In the evening and at night most rise to 120 or 130, and a few routes are 130 all day. The overhead matrix signs always show the limit that applies — follow them, not the clock.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Speed limit on country roads
CriticalGermany · home100 km/hChecked 3 Aug 2026
What you must carry in the car
CriticalGermany · home
- Warning triangle
- High-visibility vest
- First aid kit
Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently
ImportantGermany · home0 g/lZero alcohol for the two-year probationary period and for anyone under 21.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destination0.2 g/lFor the first five years of holding a licence.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Low-emission zones
Good to knowGermany · homeIn many citiesAround 39 Umweltzonen, including Berlin, Munich, Cologne and Stuttgart. A green windscreen sticker is required, including on foreign cars — order it before travelling.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationIn some citiesZones in Amsterdam, Arnhem, The Hague and Utrecht apply to DIESEL cars only, by emission class — petrol and electric cars always enter. Check a diesel's plate on the government's milieuzones.nl before driving in.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source
Known on one side only (16)
Whether you need an International Driving Permit
Germany · homeDepends on where your licence is fromEU and EEA licences are accepted as they are. Other licences need a German translation unless the licence conforms to the 1968 Vienna Convention or an International Driving Permit is carried.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Which side you overtake on
Germany · homeLeftPassing on the right is only for vehicles turning left, and for trams.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Speed limit on a dual carriageway
Germany · homeNo general limitRoads with structurally separated carriageways have no general car limit, like motorways. The 130 km/h recommendation applies. Signed limits are common.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Youngest age you may drive
Germany · home18 years17 is possible only in the accompanied-driving scheme, within Germany.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Turning at a red light
Germany · homeOnly where a sign allows itOnly where a green arrow plate (Grünpfeil) is mounted beside the red light, only turning right, and only after a complete stop.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Priority to traffic coming from the right
Germany · homeYes — traffic from the right goes first at unmarked junctionsRight before left at any unsigned junction, including small residential ones.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Age below which a child needs a child seat
Germany · home12 yearsA child needs a seat until age 12, unless already 150 cm tall.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Height below which a child needs a child seat
Germany · home150 cmA child shorter than 150 cm needs a seat until age 12.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Winter tyres
Germany · homeRequired whenever the road is icy or snowyCondition-based, not date-based: winter tyres (3PMSF) are required whenever there is snow, slush or ice on the road, at any time of year.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
How you pay for motorways
Germany · home
- None
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
When you must switch your headlights on
Germany · homeNot requiredRequired for motorcycles only. Cars need lights at night and in poor visibility.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Who has priority at a roundabout
Germany · homeTraffic already on the roundabout goes firstWhere the roundabout sign is posted, traffic on the circle has priority and you must not indicate on entry — only on exit. An unsigned circle falls back to right-before-left.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Parking on the pavement
Germany · homeOnly where signs or markings allow itOnly where a sign or marking explicitly allows it.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Parking facing against the traffic
Germany · homeOnly on one-way streetsPark on the right edge in the direction of travel; one-way streets allow the left.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
How far you must park from a junction or crossing
Germany · home
- A junction — 5 m
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Whether police can fine you on the spot
Germany · homeYesMinor offences up to 55 euros can be settled on the spot as a warning fine. Larger fines are billed — but drivers without a German address can be required to pay a security deposit immediately.Checked 3 Aug 2026
Netherlands · destinationNot yet verified
Same in both (7)
- Which side of the road you drive on — Right official source
- Speed limit in towns and cities — 50 km/h official source
- How much alcohol you may have in your blood — 0.5 g/l official source
- Holding a phone while driving — Not allowed official source
- Who must wear a seatbelt — Everyone, in every seat official source
- Hands-free phone calls — Allowed official source
- Emergency number — 112 official source