Built-up areaNetherlands
Traffic rules
Netherlands
1. Built-up area
A built-up area is an area containing concentrated buildings, streets and regular local activity. Drivers should expect more pedestrians, cyclists, intersections, parked vehicles, public transport and vehicles entering or leaving properties.
Many countries apply special traffic rules and lower default speed limits within built-up areas. The area may be identified by entrance and exit signs, street lighting or other legal criteria, so drivers must follow local signs and regulations.
How do people refer to a built-up area in the Netherlands?
The official Dutch term is bebouwde kom. Entrance and end signs identify the area in which the built-up-area traffic rules apply.
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
Start of a built-up area.
English • Traffic sign H1 • Built-up area.
Nederlands • Verkeersbord H1 • Bebouwde kom.
End of the built-up area.
English • Traffic sign H2 • End of built-up area.
Nederlands • Verkeersbord H2 • Einde bebouwde kom.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990, bijlage 1
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
SVG version by Bouwe Brouwer • Public domain • Source revision 2007-08-31. Wikimedia original unmodified.
How can you recognise a built-up area in the Netherlands?
Look for the official town-entry sign and the corresponding crossed-out end sign. They mark the legal boundary, which need not coincide with the first or last visible house.
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
What speed limit applies to cars in a built-up area in the Netherlands?
For an ordinary passenger car, the general maximum is 50 km/h unless signs establish another limit. A lower signed limit or zone still applies, and you must slow further when conditions require it.
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
Must I allow a bus to leave its stop in a Dutch built-up area?
Inside a built-up area, drivers must allow a bus driver indicating the intention to leave the stop to do so. Slow down or stop as needed; this special rule does not apply outside a built-up area. It also does not apply to drivers of motor vehicles belonging to a military column or a funeral procession.
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
