Driving rules, and the ones that bite.
- Drive onRight
- Motorway limit130 km/h
- Drink drive0.5 g/L · about 1 pint or 1 small wine
- Emergency112
Netherlands drives on the right. The motorway speed limit is 100 km/h (24/7 on most motorways; 130 km/h 19:00-06:00 on signposted stretches). The emergency number is 112.
0.5 g/l (0.2 g/l for drivers with under 5 years' experience)
Driving tips
- Cyclists always have priority. At every junction, T-junction, and side street you must give way to bikes, including when you are turning right across a cycle lane. Watch both directions, as cycle paths often run on both sides of the road.
- Cycle lanes are often marked with red tarmac. Never park or stop on a red-surfaced strip, even briefly.
- Trams have priority over all other traffic. Never block tram tracks and give way when their indicators show.
- Dipped headlights are not compulsory by day, but are recommended in poor visibility.
- Roundabouts: traffic already on the roundabout has priority in most cases, but watch for local signs as this is not universal.
- Parking in town centres is often paid and strictly enforced by ANPR cameras. Pay at the meter via app (Parkmobile, Yellowbrick) or card.
Worth knowing before you go.
The daytime 100 km/h motorway limit was introduced in 2020 as part of the Dutch nitrogen-reduction programme and still applies. A few stretches revert to 130 km/h between 19:00 and 06:00, always clearly signposted. Police use average-speed cameras (trajectcontrole) extensively, so stick to the limit.
The toll system, and the city emissions rules.
- TollsNone
- VignetteNot required
- Emission zoneYes · Milieuzone / zero-emission zone rules (no national sticker)
The Netherlands does not charge tolls on its motorway network. The only fees are at a small number of tunnels and bridges. Cards are accepted at all toll points.
There is no vignette in the Netherlands. Nothing to buy before you cross the border.
Low emission zones
Dutch milieuzones mainly restrict older diesel lorries and vans below Euro 3 or Euro 4. Most modern UK motorhomes are unaffected, but rules differ by city. Check the official site before driving into any city centre: https://www.milieuzones.nl/.
Read our complete guide to motorhome tolls and vignettes in Europe, and our guide to low emission zones.
What to carry, and what to bring.
- Required kit4 items
- Over 3,500 kgspeed stickers, blind-spot stickers
- Documents4 items
Netherlands requires a set of kit to be carried in the vehicle. Most of it is cheap and worth having anyway, so pack it before you leave rather than buy it at a roadside price.
- UK Sticker.
- Warning Triangle.
- Reflective Jacket. Carry 1 per occupant.
- First Aid Kit.
- Headlight Converters. Carry 1 set.
- Towing Mirrors.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
From August 2025, UK trailers over 750 kg must be registered with the DVLA before travelling internationally. Check the current DVLA guidance before your trip.
Documents to bring
For your own vehicle, carry your Passport, UK Photocard Driving Licence, Vehicle Log Book (V5C), Insurance Certificate and Travel Insurance Proof.
For a rental or hire vehicle, you also need your VE103 Certificate, Driving Licence Check Code and International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence).
Gas, electric, and the weekly shop.
- LPG fittingBayonet
- CurrencyEUR
- Emergency112
- Sunday shopping12:00-18:00 (most cities)
The Netherlands has a good LPG network, concentrated at larger forecourts and on the motorway. The Dutch standard is the ACME fitting, though a few stations still use the Dish adapter. Carry a small multi-nozzle kit to be safe. Major providers include Shell, BP, Tango, and Total.
Local bottle brands are Primagaz and Shell Gas. Both are sold at fuel stations and campsites, but you will need a matching regulator pigtail to connect them to a UK motorhome.
UK Calor bottles cannot be swapped or exchanged anywhere in Europe. Carry a 3-piece adapter kit or fit a refillable system before you leave. Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Electric hook-ups
Most Dutch campsites offer 16A hook-ups via the standard CEE blue plug, which is more generous than you will find in France or Italy. At 16A you have around 3,600 watts available, enough to run a kettle, heater, and fridge simultaneously.
Voltage is stable at 230V. Reverse polarity is uncommon on modern sites but still worth checking with a socket tester, particularly on older camperplaatsen.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Where to shop
Supermarkets here: budget chains are Aldi, Lidl, Dirk, Action; mid-range chains are Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Plus, Coop; premium chains are Albert Heijn XL, Marqt.
Typical opening hours: weekday 08:00-20:00 (some to 22:00); saturday 08:00-20:00; sunday 12:00-18:00 in most cities (koopzondag); smaller towns often closed; where to buy Wine and beer in supermarkets; spirits only in a slijterij (off-licence).
Sunday trading varies significantly by town. Large cities mostly open on Sundays, smaller and more religious towns often stay shut.
Spirits cannot legally be sold in supermarkets. A slijterij is usually attached to or next door to the main store.
- Pick up paracetamol and medicine from an apotheek (pharmacy) or drogist (Kruidvat, Etos). Supermarkets do not stock them.
- Bakeries open early and sell out fast. Buy bread in the morning.
- Dutch cheese shops (kaasspeciaalzaak) are worth seeking out for proper Gouda and other regional cheeses.
- Many small towns hold a weekly outdoor market (markt) on a set day. Fresh fish, cheese, stroopwafels, and flowers.
More detail in our guides to gas and LPG and electric hook-ups across Europe.
Taking a dog, and crossing the border.
- SchengenYes
- AHC requiredwithin 10 days
- Tapeworm on UK returnYes
- Dog leadRequired
To take a dog to Netherlands, the standard pet travel rules apply. The detail below covers what your dog needs.
- AHC required. Yes, issued by your vet within 10 days before entry
- Rabies vaccination. Yes, must be at least 21 days old at the time of travel
- Tapeworm treatment for UK return. Required between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive back in the UK, administered by a vet
- Breed restrictions. The Netherlands previously banned some breeds but lifted most general restrictions in 2008. Check current rules before travel.
Pack the dog's Dog lead, Water bowl, Vaccination records and AHC.
Meat, milk, and products containing either cannot be brought into the Netherlands from the UK. The main exceptions are powdered baby milk and medically prescribed pet food.
Netherlands is in the Schengen area.
Schengen area: Yes. EES biometric checks: Yes. You will need to register fingerprints and a photo on entry and exit once the system goes live. Trailer registration (UK): UK trailers over 750 kg require DVLA registration for international travel from August 2025. Mobile roaming: Charges vary by provider since the UK left the EU. Check with yours before you travel.
Useful links
- Rijkswaterstaat (Road conditions)
- Milieuzones (LEZ rules per city)
- ANWB (Dutch automobile club, breakdown)
See also our complete guides to the Schengen 90-day rule and taking a dog to Europe.
The questions people ask most.
Are motorways in the Netherlands free for motorhomes?
Yes. Dutch motorways are free of tolls and there is no vignette. The only charges are a handful of tunnels: the Westerschelde tunnel costs around 5 EUR, the Kil tunnel is also tolled, and the Blankenburg tunnel near Rotterdam becomes tolled in 2026.
Do I need a milieuzone sticker for Amsterdam?
Not usually. Dutch low emission zones (milieuzones) in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Den Haag, Arnhem, and Leiden mainly restrict older diesel lorries and vans below Euro 3 or Euro 4. Most modern UK motorhomes are unaffected, but the rules vary by city so check milieuzones.nl before driving into the centre.
What are the rules for overnight parking in the Netherlands?
Wild camping is not permitted. The Netherlands has an excellent network of camperplaatsen (aires) and registered campsites, often beside canals and in small towns. Use apps such as Campercontact or Park4Night to find official stopovers. Overnight sleeping in laybys or supermarket car parks is generally not tolerated.
Can I take my dog to the Netherlands in a motorhome?
Yes. Your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination at least 21 days old, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet issued within 10 days of travel. For the return to the UK, a vet must administer a tapeworm treatment between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive back.