Road signs in the Netherlands

The history of Dutch traffic signs began in the late 19th century with the Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB), founded in 1883, which installed the first direction signs for cyclists in 1892 and by 1913 had shifted focus to automobile traffic.^[4] The organization introduced the iconic concrete paddenstoel (mushroom) signs in 1919—designed by architect J.H.W. Leliman following a 1918 design competition, with the first twelve installed between Laren and Baarn. These distinctive signs were designed to be readable by cyclists looking down rather than up, allowing them to maintain speed and momentum without stopping.

The Netherlands also played a decisive role in the international effort to standardise road signs, a movement that began in the early 20th century and culminated in the visual language still recognised across Europe today. Early international efforts, such as the 1908 and 1926 World Road Congresses, focused on a limited set of warning signs for motorists.^[5] The push for a more comprehensive system gained momentum with the League of Nations, leading to the pivotal 1931 Geneva Convention concerning the unification of road signs.

During the negotiations, a significant controversy arose over the design of "no waiting" and "no parking" signs.^[6] The preliminary draft proposed signs without the now-familiar diagonal stroke. The Dutch delegation, represented by G.F. Schönfeld, Administrator at the Dutch Ministry of Waterstaat (Rijkswaterstaat's predecessor), actively proposed alternative designs, including a round white sign with a red border and the letter 'P' for parking prohibition.^[7] While this specific proposal was not adopted in its entirety, the matter was referred to a special sub-committee that ultimately forged a compromise.^[8] Their final recommendation, which became part of the 1931 convention, introduced the diagonal red stroke as the key visual element for prohibition signs, alongside triangular signs for danger, round signs for prohibitions and obligations, and rectangular signs for information.^[9]

The Netherlands ratified this convention in 1934 with a five-year transition period for implementation.^[10] The first comprehensive national regulations came with the Wegenverkeersregeling of 1941 – under Nazi occupation – which codified these principles in Dutch law and required all old signs to be replaced by December 1942.^[11] An undated Dutch road atlas from around 1945 already featured a set of such signs, showing the early adoption and influence of these international standards within the Netherlands itself.^[12]

The foundations laid by the Netherlands and others in 1931 directly influenced the later, more comprehensive 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals,^[9] creating the broadly uniform European signing system that eventually effected designs globally.

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  A1: Speed limit (50 km/h)
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  A2: End of speed limit (50 km/h)
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  A3: Speed limit displayed on an electronic display panel (VMS)
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  A4: Advisory speed
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  A5: End of advisory speed

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  B1: Priority road
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  B2: End of priority road
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  B3: Crossroads with priority
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  B4: Road junction with priority over minor road from the left
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  B5: Road junction with priority over minor road from the right
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  B6: Give Way sign, must give priority to other traffic on the main road ahead
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  B7: Stop: Give priority to traffic on the main road ahead

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  C1: Road closed in both directions to vehicles, riders and persons in charge of animals or livestock.
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  C2: No entry in this direction for vehicular traffic, horse riders and persons in charge of animals or livestock.
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  C3: One-way street.
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  C4: One-way street.
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  C5: Access permitted for both directions.
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  C6: No access for motorised vehicles with more than two wheels.
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  C7: No access for trucks.
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  C7a: No access for buses.
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  C7b: No access for buses and trucks.
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  C8: No access for agricultural vehicles.
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  C9: No access for (horse) riders, livestock, wagons, agricultural and forestry tractors, motor vehicles with limited speed, mobile machines, microcars, bicycles, mopeds, scooters and mobility vehicles.
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  C10: No access for motor vehicle with towing trailers.
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  C11: No access for motorcycles.
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  C12: No access for all motorised vehicles.
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  C13: No access for mopeds, motor-assisted bicycles or motorised mobility vehicles.
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  C14: No access for bicycles or non-motorised mobility vehicles.
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  C15: No access for bicycles, mopeds and mobility vehicles.
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  C16: No access for pedestrians.
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  C17: No access for vehicles or combinations of vehicles which, including their load, are longer than indicated on the sign.
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  C18: No access for vehicles which, including their load, are wider than indicated on the sign.
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  C19: No access for vehicles which, including their load, are higher than indicated on the sign.
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  C20: No access for vehicles with an axle load higher than indicated on the sign.
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  C21: No access for vehicles and combinations of vehicles whose total weight is higher than indicated on the sign.
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  C22: No access for vehicles carrying hazardous substances.
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  C22e: Environmental zone: no access for vehicles not compliant with article 86d of RVV 1990
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  C22e1 (sub-panel): Environmental zone: no access for all commercial vehicles
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  C22e4 (sub-panel): Environmental zone: diesel-powered personal vehicles, accessible for cars with emission class Euro 4 to 6
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  C22e5 (sub-panel): Environmental zone: diesel-powered personal vehicles, accessible for cars with emission class Euro 5 and 6
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  C22e6 (sub-panel): Environmental zone: diesel-powered personal- and commercial vehicles, accessible for vehicles with emission class Euro 4 to 6
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  C22e7 (sub-panel): Environmental zone: diesel-powered personal- and commercial vehicles, accessible for vehicles with emission class Euro 5 and 6
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  C22e8 (sub-panel): Environmental zone: diesel-powered trucks, accessible for trucks with emission class Euro 6
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  C22e9 (sub-panel): Environmental zone: diesel-powered buses, accessible for buses with emission class Euro 6
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  C22e10 (sub-panel): Environmental zone: trucks and buses, accessible for trucks and buses with emission class Euro 6
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  C22f: End of environmental- (zero-emission) zone
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  C23-01: Rush-hour lane (shoulder) open
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  C23-02: Clear out of rush-hour lane (shoulder)
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  C23-03: End of Rush-hour lane (shoulder)

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  D1: Roundabout – give way to vehicles on the immediate left
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  D2: Instruction to all drivers to keep to the right of the sign (or left if arrow is reversed)
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  D3: The sign may be passed on either side
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  D4: Instruction to drive ahead only
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  D5: Instruction to follow the direction ahead shown by the arrow
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  D6: Instruction to follow one of the directions ahead shown by the arrows
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  D7: Instruction to follow one of the directions ahead shown by the arrows

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  E1: No parking
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  E2: No stopping
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  E3: No parking for bicycles or mopeds
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  E4: Parking area
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  E5: Taxi rank
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  E6: Parking for disabled drivers + BT17 sub-panel for designating license plate number
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  E7: Parking permitted for the immediate loading and unloading of goods only
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  E8: Parking facilities only for the category or group of vehicle shown
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  E9: Parking for permit-holders only
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  E10: Entrance to controlled parking zone
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  E11: End of controlled parking zone
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  E12: Park and ride facilities
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  E13: Parking facilities for car sharers

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  F1: No overtaking
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  F2: End of no overtaking zone
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  F3: No overtaking of cars by lorries
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  F4: End of zone with no overtaking of cars by lorries
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  F5: Give way to oncoming vehicles
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  F6: Priority over oncoming vehicles
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  F7: No U-turns
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  F8: End of all restrictions imposed by traffic signs
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  F9: End of all restrictions imposed by electronic signalling panels (VMS)
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  F10: Stop. The sign can also contain further information as to whom it is directed and why
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  F11: Compulsory use of passing lane for slow motor vehicles (under 25 km/h)
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  F12: End of passing lane for slow motor vehicles
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  F13: Bus lane
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  F14: End of bus lane
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  F15: Tram lane
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  F16: End of tram lane
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  F17: Bus and tram lane
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  F18: End of bus and tram lane
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  F19: Compulsory use of lane only for trucks and buses
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  F20: End of lane only for trucks and buses
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  F21: Compulsory use of lane only for trucks
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  F22: End of lane only for trucks

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  G1: Motorway
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  G2: End of motorway
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  G3: Expressway
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  G4: End of Expressway
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  G5: Living street
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  G6: End of Living street
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  G7: Footpath
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  G8: End of footpath
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  G9: Bridleway
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  G10: End of bridleway
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  G11: Route for pedal cycles only
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  G12: End of pedal cycles route
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  G12a: Route for pedal cycle and mopeds only
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  G12b: End of route for pedal cycles and mopeds
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  G13: Optional cycle path
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  G14: End of optional cycle path

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  H1: Built-up area
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  H2: End of built-up area

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  J1: Uneven road
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  J2: Bend to right
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  J3: Bend to left
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  J4: Double bend, first to right
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  J5: Double bend, first to left
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  J6: Steep hill upward
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  J7: Steep hill downward
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  J8: Dangerous crossing
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  J9: Roundabout
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  J10: Level crossing with barrier or gates ahead
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  J11: Level crossing without barrier or gates ahead
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  J12: Level crossing with single track
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  J13: Level crossing with two or more tracks
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  J14: Tram (crossing) ahead
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  J15: Opening or swing bridge ahead
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  J16: Road works ahead
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  J17: Road narrows on both sides
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  J18: Road narrows on the right side
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  J19: Road narrows on the left side
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  J20: Slippery road
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  J21: School crossing
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  J22: Pedestrian crossing
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  J23: Pedestrians
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  J24: Cyclists and moped riders
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  J25: Loose chippings
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  J26: Quayside or river bank
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  J27: Wild animals
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  J28: Domesticated animals
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  J29: Two-way traffic
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  J30: Low-flying aircraft
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  J31: Side winds
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  J32: Traffic lights
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  J33: Queues likely
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  J34: Danger of accidents
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  J35: Reduced visibility because of snow, rain or fog
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  J36: Risk of ice or snow
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  J37: Other dangers
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  J38: Warning bump
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  J39: Warning for retractable bollard (poller) in the traffic lane that can be used to regulate access to streets and areas.
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  BB23-1: Level crossing distance board (close, each bar usually indicate 80 or 100m)
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  BB23-2: level crossing distance board (between, each bar usually indicate 80 or 100m)
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  BB23-3: level crossing distance board (far, each bar usually indicate 80 or 100m)

While the Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens 1990 (RVV 1990) regulates traffic rules and the majority of traffic signs in the Netherlands, directional signage for wayfinding follows a separate set of guidelines. These signs are designed according to the Richtlijn Bewegwijzering, a directive developed and maintained collaboratively by the Nationale Bewegwijzeringsdienst [nl] (NBd) and the CROW [nl] knowledge platform.^[13] The NBd is legally responsible for ensuring all directional sign plans in the country are consistent with this specific guideline, which covers everything from highway signs to cycling route wayfinding, to guarantee uniformity and reliability for all road users.^[14]

The following are examples demonstrating those separate guidelines that is currently being used for the signs in practice

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  L1: No vehicles over height shown, underpass
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  L2: Pedestrian crossing
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  L3a: Tram stop/bus stop
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  L3b: Bus stop
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  L3c: Tram stop
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  L4: Get in lane
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  L5: End of lane
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  L6: Lane fork
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  L7: Number of through lanes
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  L8: No through road for vehicles
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  L9: Advance warning of a no through road for vehicles
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  L10: Advance warning of traffic information for the direction shown
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  L11: Information on panel applies only to the lane(s) indicated
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  L12: Information on panel applies only to the lane indicated (overhead)
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  L13: Road tunnel
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  L14: Hard shoulder
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  L15: Hard shoulder equipped with emergency telephone and fire extinguisher
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  L16: Emergency telephone
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  L17: Fire extinguisher
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  L18: Emergency telephone and fire extinguisher
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  L19: Nearest exit or second nearest exits in the directions and at the distances indicated on the sign
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  L20: Passing area on right-hand side of the road
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  L21: Passing area on left-hand side of the road
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  BB13: Road Barriers
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  L51: Bicycle street, cars are guests
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  L403: EU country border, Netherlands variant

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  Diversion announcement. Follow Route "F".
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  Follow the indicated direction.
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  Follow the indicated direction; this is the last sign of the diversion.
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  Announcement of diversion on motorway (U-route).
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  BW501: Follow the indicated direction (U-route 15). This sign is installed permanently, but only takes on meaning when a yellow announcement board is placed alongside it.
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  BW501e: Follow the indicated direction (U-route 15); this is the last sign of the diversion. This sign is installed permanently, but only takes on meaning when a yellow announcement board is placed alongside it.

In Friesland, a significant initiative is underway to introduce bilingual road signs featuring both Dutch and Frisian,^[17] responding to longstanding efforts to promote and make the minority language more visible in the public sphere.^[18] This rollout, scheduled to begin in 2026 along provincial roads,^[19] follows the agreement between the national government and the province, which allocated €18 million for language preservation.^[20] Many existing signs will be updated with stickers rather than being fully replaced, with old signs finding potential new homes in other provinces to reduce waste.^[21]

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  G13: bilingual version: optional cycle path
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  C2f + OB705: standard, Dutch only version: "go back", indicating no entry towards wrong-way drivers.
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  C2f + OB705: bilingual version, generally placed at ramps of controlled-access roads.
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  BB01: bilingual version: exit sign of controlled-access roads.
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  OB54 (sub-panel): bilingual version: exception of bikes and mopeds, commonly seen with access control signs at one-way streets.
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  H01d: Bilingual place name

The A24 (Blankenburgverbinding), which opened on 7 December 2024, is the first motorway in the Netherlands to implement electronic free-flow tolling (e-TOL) without traditional toll booths or barriers.^[22] The 4.2-kilometre route connects the A15 at Rozenburg with the A20 at Vlaardingen via two tunnels—the Maasdeltatunnel and Hollandtunnel—and was built to improve accessibility in the Rotterdam port region.^[23] Toll was introduced to finance the €1.168 billion construction cost, with charges of €1.51 for light vehicles and €9.13 for heavy vehicles, and the tolling is expected to continue for approximately 25 years until construction costs are recovered.^[24] The system relies on ANPR cameras, requiring drivers to pay online within 72 hours of their journey or via automatic registration, a method that initially led to some payment compliance challenges as road users adapted to the new system.^[25]

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  Announcement of automatic toll collection (e-TOL)
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  Online payment reminder

The explosive rise of fatbikes in the Netherlands can be directly linked to the introduction of a mandatory helmet law for light mopeds (snorfietsen) on 1 January 2023, which caused many young people to switch to fatbikes as an unregulated alternative.^[26] As a result, the number of recorded accidents involving teenagers on fatbikes exploded.^[27] In response, local municipalities took action: Enschede became the first Dutch city in July 2025 to ban fatbikes from its city centre, enforced via a local APV (General Local Regulation) during shopping hours. Amsterdam followed suit, introducing a ban on fatbikes with tyres wider than 7 centimeters in the Vondelpark starting 11 May 2026, with offenders facing a €115 fine.^[28][29] Finally, the Dutch cabinet announced on 24 April 2026 a national plan to introduce a minimum age and a helmet requirement for fatbikes, alongside granting municipalities the legal power to designate fatbike-free zones.^[30]

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  Amsterdam bans riding fatbikes in Vondelpark, enforced via local law

Suriname—as a former Dutch colony—base their signage designs on those used in the Netherlands (RVV 1990). However, some pictograms are mirrored horizontally to accommodate their left-hand traffic system.