Reference

Terms you need to know for Dutch theory

Learn the Dutch word first. The short meaning helps you recognise it in a question or traffic situation.

108 terms

Parts of the road

Weg: The complete road open to traffic, including paths, verges and related parts.
Rijbaan: The part of the road intended for moving vehicles.
Rijstrook: A marked part of the carriageway wide enough for motor vehicles.
Berm: The verge beside the carriageway. It is not part of the carriageway.
Trottoir: The raised or separated part of the road for pedestrians.
Fietsstrook: A lane with a bicycle symbol, bordered by a solid or broken line.
Suggestiestrook: A coloured edge strip without a bicycle symbol. It is not an official cycle lane.
Fietspad: A separated path for cyclists, indicated by a road sign.
Fiets/bromfietspad: A mandatory path for cyclists, moped riders and other indicated users.
Vluchtstrook: The lane beside a motor road or motorway, for emergencies or when signs open it.
Vluchthaven: A roadside refuge where you stop only in an emergency.
Invoegstrook: The lane used to gain speed and merge into traffic.
Uitvoegstrook: The lane used to leave the through carriageway.
Spitsstrook: An extra lane that is open only when the signs permit its use.
Kruispunt: A crossing or junction of roads.
Rotonde: A junction with mandatory circular traffic. Signs and shark teeth control priority.
Uitrit: A recognisable entrance or exit, often with a continuous pavement, cycle path or lowered exit construction.
Overweg: A crossing between a road and a railway.
Bebouwde kom: The area that starts at sign H1 and ends at sign H2. Different general rules and speeds apply inside and outside it.

Road users and vehicles

Weggebruiker: Anyone who uses the road.
Bestuurder: Every road user except a pedestrian.
Voetganger: A road user who walks or is treated as a pedestrian by the rules.
Voertuig: Under RVV, vehicles include bicycles, mopeds, disability vehicles, motor vehicles, trams and wagons. A train is not included.
Motorrijtuig: A mechanically powered vehicle, apart from specific legal exceptions.
Motorvoertuig: A powered vehicle under RVV, excluding mopeds, pedal-assisted bicycles and disability vehicles.
Snorfiets: A light moped with a design speed up to 25 km/h and a blue plate.
Bromfiets: A moped with a design speed up to 45 km/h and normally a yellow plate.
Speedpedelec: A fast electric bicycle that is legally treated as a moped.
Brommobiel: A small moped on more than two wheels with a design speed up to 45 km/h.
Gehandicaptenvoertuig: A vehicle designed for a disabled person and no wider than 1.10 metres.

Priority and actions

Voorrang verlenen: One driver allows another driver to continue without obstruction.
Voor laten gaan: A road user lets another go first. This can also concern pedestrians.
Bijzondere manoeuvre: An action such as moving off, reversing, turning around, merging or changing lanes.
Afslaan: Leaving a road by turning left or right.
Voorsorteren: Choosing the correct position or lane before turning.
Inhalen: Passing another road user travelling in the same direction.
Voorbijgaan: Passing something that is not moving as traffic in your direction, such as an obstacle.
Stoppen: A compulsory stop caused by traffic, for example at a red light or to give priority.
Stilstaan: Stopping voluntarily for immediate boarding, leaving, loading or unloading.
Parkeren: Leaving the vehicle longer than needed for immediate boarding, leaving, loading or unloading.

Signs and markings

Haaientanden: White triangles on the road. Give priority to drivers on the crossing road.
Doorgetrokken streep: A line you must not cross when it applies to your direction.
Onderbroken streep: A line you may cross when it is safe and permitted.
Blokmarkering: Short broad white blocks that separate an acceleration or exit lane from the through carriageway.
Verdrijvingsvlak: A marked area that drivers must not drive over or stop on.
Puntstuk: The pointed marked area at a road split. Do not drive over it.
Onderbord: A small plate below the main sign that explains or limits its application.
Matrixbord: An electronic sign above or beside the road showing a current rule or warning.
Verkeersteken: A road sign, traffic light or road marking. A direction from an authorised person is a separate category.
Aanwijzing: A mandatory direction from an authorised person. It outranks lights, signs and ordinary rules.

Distance and safety

Reactieafstand: The distance travelled between seeing danger and starting to brake.
Remweg: The distance from the start of braking until the vehicle stops.
Stopafstand: Reaction distance plus braking distance.
Volgafstand: The space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Dode hoek: The area you cannot see directly or clearly in the mirrors.
Voorrangsvoertuig: An emergency vehicle using the required blue lights and siren.
Aquaplaning: The tyres lose contact with the road because of a layer of water.
Anticiperen: Looking ahead, recognising risk early and adjusting speed or space in time.

Lighting

Dimlicht: Normal dipped headlights for darkness and poor visibility without dazzling others.
Groot licht: Strong headlights for darkness, prohibited when they dazzle other road users.
Stadslicht: Position light used to make a stationary vehicle visible. It is not a driving light.
Mistvoorlicht: Front fog light allowed when fog, snow or rain seriously reduces visibility.
Mistachterlicht: Rear fog light allowed only when fog or snow reduces visibility below 50 metres.
Dagrijlicht: Light that makes the car more visible by day. Rear lights may not switch on with it.
Waarschuwingslichten: All direction indicators flash together to warn of danger.

Licences and documents

Rijbewijs B: Licence for a passenger car or light company vehicle within category B limits.
B+ code 96: Extension allowing a car and trailer combination up to 4,250 kg permitted maximum mass.
Rijbewijs BE: Licence for a car with a heavier trailer within BE conditions.
Beginnend bestuurder: A driver in the legal novice period after obtaining a first licence.
Kentekenbewijs: The document containing the registered vehicle details.
APK: The periodic technical inspection for vehicles that require it.
WA-verzekering: The compulsory insurance for damage caused to others with a motor vehicle.
Promille: One part per thousand, used to express alcohol concentration in blood.

Vehicle and trailer

Intelligente snelheidsassistentie (ISA): Helps the driver observe a recognised speed limit, for example with a warning or accelerator resistance. Operation varies by car.
Snelheidsbegrenzer: Helps prevent exceeding a selected speed. It does not accelerate for you below that speed.
Noodremassistentie: Boosts emergency braking started by the driver. It differs from AEB, which may initiate braking when it detects danger.
Hellingwegrijhulp: Holds the brakes briefly when pulling away on a slope to help prevent rolling backwards.
Auto Hold: Can keep the brakes applied after stopping so you can release the pedal. Check that it is active and follow the manual.
Tractiecontrole: Limits driven-wheel spin during acceleration, for example by reducing engine power.
Rijstrookverlatingswaarschuwing: Warns about unintended lane departure. A warning-only function does not steer.
Rijstrookcentrering: Supports steering to keep the car near the lane centre. Stay attentive and steer yourself when needed.
Dodehoekwaarschuwing: Alerts you to traffic detected in the blind spot. Silence does not prove the space is clear.
Waarschuwing voor kruisend verkeer achter de auto: Warns of traffic approaching from the side behind the car when reversing. Parked vehicles can limit detection.
Parkeerassistent: Assists parking with steering and, in some cars, acceleration and braking. The driver must keep checking the surroundings.
Botsingswaarschuwing: Warns about a detected collision risk. A later warning setting leaves less time to react.
Aanhangerstabilisatie: May help reduce trailer sway. Proper loading and a suitable speed remain necessary.
Zijwindassistentie: May apply selective braking to help hold the vehicle’s course in crosswinds. The driver still steers.
Multibotsrem: May brake after a collision to reduce the risk of a further collision.
Vermoeidheidswaarschuwing: May detect signs of tiredness but can miss a tired driver. Take a break when you feel tired.
Aanhangermanoeuvreerassistent: Assists manoeuvring with a trailer. Some systems use a camera view of its drawbar to determine the angle between car and trailer.
Adaptieve cruisecontrol (ACC): Adaptive cruise control: adjusts speed for a detected vehicle ahead and supports following distance.
Automatisch noodremsysteem (AEB): Automatic emergency braking: may brake when it detects a collision risk.
Rijstrookassistent: Lane-keeping assistance: may help with unintended lane departure.
Toegestane maximummassa: The empty weight plus the maximum permitted load according to the registration.
Rijklaar: Technically safe, correctly loaded and ready to drive without danger.
Deelbare lading: A load that can be divided into smaller parts without damage.
Ondeelbare lading: A load that cannot be divided for transport without damage or great difficulty.
Laadvermogen: The maximum weight that may be carried as load.
Aslast: The weight pressing on the road through one axle.
Aanhangwagen: A vehicle that is towed by another vehicle.
Losbreekreminrichting: A device that brakes the trailer if it separates from the towing vehicle.
ABS: The anti-lock braking system prevents wheel lock during hard braking, helping the car remain steerable.
ESC: Electronic stability control may brake individual wheels to help stabilise a skidding car.
Cruisecontrol: A system that maintains a set speed. The driver remains responsible.
Airbag: An air cushion that adds protection during a collision.
Rijhulpsysteem: A system that supports a driving task without taking responsibility away from the driver.
Hoofdsteun: An adjustable support that helps protect the head and neck in a collision.
Gevarendriehoek: A triangle that warns approaching traffic of a stationary obstruction.