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Lesson 7 of 9

Legislation

The law requires more than following signs. You remain responsible for a safe vehicle, safe choices and correct action after an incident.

About 8 minutesChecked against the current rules

Terms to know first

The right terms help you recognise what an exam question is asking.

Beginnend bestuurder, novice driver
Usually the first five years after the first driving licence. Seven years applies to some young licence holders.
Kentekenbewijs, vehicle registration card
The document containing the vehicle’s registered details. You must be able to show the card.

1. Licence, vehicle and documents

Your licence category must cover the vehicle and combination you drive.

  • Drive only with a valid licence in the correct category and follow any codes or restrictions.
  • The vehicle must be insured, registered and approved by APK inspection when required.
  • For a trailer, check permitted masses on both licence and registration.
Check driver, vehicle and combination. All three must be permitted.

WVW articles 107 and 110; WAM; Vehicle Regulations

Check that the licence, registration, insurance and required APK status are valid. The image contains fictional sample details only.

2. Alcohol, drugs and medicines

Driving under the influence is forbidden when a substance impairs your ability. Legal maxima are not safety targets.

  • The alcohol limit is 0.5 promille for an experienced driver and 0.2 for a novice driver.
  • Combining drugs and alcohol increases danger and can be a separate offence.
  • Prescription medicine can also make driving unsafe or unlawful. Check the warning.
The safest limit is zero alcohol and no impairing substances.

WVW article 8

A novice driver has a 0.2 promille limit. An experienced driver has a 0.5 promille limit. Zero is safest.

View the diagram full size

3. Danger, obstruction and responsibility

Behaviour can be prohibited even when no sign names it exactly.

  • You may not cause or risk causing danger or unnecessary obstruction.
  • Owner and driver each have responsibilities for the vehicle and its use.
  • Insurance does not automatically cover every loss when rules or policy terms are deliberately broken.
No sign does not mean dangerous behaviour is allowed.

WVW articles 5 and 6

4. After a collision

You may not leave when you know or should reasonably suspect that damage or injury occurred.

  • Stop safely, warn traffic and help injured people without putting yourself at risk.
  • Exchange identity, contact, registration and insurance information.
  • Call 112 for injury, danger or an unsafe situation and follow emergency-service directions.
Stop, secure, help, share details.

WVW article 7

Stop safely, warn when needed and exchange identity, contact, registration and insurance details. Call 112 for injury or danger.

5. Novice driver and fitness to drive

A legal novice period follows the first licence, with stricter alcohol requirements and a points system.

  • When B is your first licence, you are normally a novice driver for five years.
  • During the novice period, the lower alcohol limit applies and recorded serious traffic offences can affect your driving entitlement.
  • A change in health may require an assessment of fitness to drive.
Novice driver describes the person and the initial period, not a different vehicle category.

What to remember before the exam

If you can explain these rules without help, you understand the core of this topic.

  • Your licence must cover the vehicle and combination.
  • Check insurance, registration, APK and permitted mass.
  • Alcohol limits are 0.2 promille for novices and 0.5 for experienced drivers.
  • Never cause danger or unnecessary obstruction.
  • After a collision, stop, secure, help and exchange details.

Check yourself

Think first. Then open the answer.

1What is the alcohol limit for a novice driver?Show the answer
0.2 promille. The safest choice is no alcohol when driving.
2No prohibition sign is present. May you create danger?Show the answer
No. The general law prohibits dangerous or obstructive behaviour without a specific sign.
3Only property was damaged in a collision. May you leave immediately?Show the answer
No. Stop and provide your identity and vehicle details to those involved.

Official sources

This summary uses the official CBR topics, RVV 1990, the Dutch Road Traffic Act and the Vehicle Regulations.

CBR: theory exam topicsOverheid.nl: RVV 1990Overheid.nl: Dutch Road Traffic ActOverheid.nl: Vehicle RegulationsOverheid.nl: Driving Licence Regulations

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