Road markingsNetherlands
30. Road markings
Road markings are lines, symbols, arrows, words or other markings applied to the road surface to regulate, guide or inform road users. They can separate traffic lanes and opposing directions, indicate where vehicles must stop or give way, mark pedestrian and cyclist crossings and identify areas reserved for particular road users.
Road users should observe the meaning of each road marking and combine it with the applicable traffic signs, signals and traffic rules. Colours, patterns and legal meanings can differ between countries.
Wikimedia.org • neushorn • CC BY-SA
Which road markings are important to recognise in the Netherlands?
Dutch junctions frequently use “shark teeth” (haaientanden)—triangular give-way road markings. They indicate that the approaching driver must give way according to the marking; check any accompanying signs and cycle crossings.
🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 68, 76–81
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
May drivers cross a solid road line in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, a continuous line away from the carriageway edge generally must not be crossed. Article 76 provides specific exceptions, including a broken line on your side, access to an adjacent refuge, hard shoulder or rush-hour lane, and lawful users crossing the line separating a cycle lane. An exception does not remove other access or safety restrictions.
🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 68, 76–81
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
Can painted arrows or stop lines be ignored when signs are not obvious in the Netherlands?
No. Lane arrows, stop lines and give-way markings can direct where to wait or which movement a lane permits. Read them together with traffic lights, vertical signs and directions from authorised traffic controllers; temporary changes may also apply.
🔗 government.nl • Dutch Government, road rules and signs — RVV articles 68, 76–81
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference

Traffic rules
Netherlands