Road signs in the Netherlands

Dutch warning ducks crossing signs

The road signs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (mainland Netherlands and six Dutch Caribbean islands) are regulated in the Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens 1990, commonly abbreviated as RVV 1990. While most old signs of RVV 1966 remained legal and official, they have been updated/replaced. Although some signs no longer have legal validity, most surviving old signs remain valid.

History

The history of Dutch traffic signs began in the late 19th century with the ANWB (founded 1883), which installed the first direction signs for cyclists in 1892 and by 1913 had shifted focus to automobile traffic. 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. 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.

1931 Dutch proposal for universal road signs at the League of Nations.

During the negotiations, a significant controversy arose over the design of "no waiting" and "no parking" signs. 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. While this specific proposal was not adopted in its entirety, the matter was referred to a special sub-committee that ultimately forged a compromise. 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 — a design feature that remains a global standard today.

Controversial parking sign of the 1930 Dutch proposal.

The Netherlands ratified this convention in 1934 with a five-year transition period for implementation. The first comprehensive national regulations came with the Wegenverkeersregeling of 1941, which codified these principles in Dutch law and required all old signs to be replaced by December 1942. 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.

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

Series A: Speed restrictions

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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

Series B: Priority (Right of way)

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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

Series C: Access control, prohibitory and mandatory

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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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  C22a: Environmental zone: no access for vehicles not compliant with article 86d of RVV 1990 (replaced by C22e by 01.07.2026)
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  C22b: End of environmental zone (replaced by C22f by 01.07.2026)
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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)

Series D: Signs giving positive instructions

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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

Series E: Parking and stopping

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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
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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

Series F: Other mandatory signs

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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

Series G: Traffic regulations

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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

Series H: Name plate for built-up area

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

Series J: Warning signs

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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)

Series K: Wayfinding

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 (bewegwijzering) 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 (NBd) and knowledge platform CROW. 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.

The following section displays the RVV version of such signage:

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  K1: Low level motorway information sign showing both main and intermediary destinations and the motorway number (old)
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  K2: Advance warning sign of a motorway showing the distance to the next exit and destinations after the exit (the top destination is the name of the exit), direction to aerodrome/airport and the road number (non-motorway)(old)
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  K3: Information sign for exit to motorway service area, showing the name of the rest area and symbols for the services offered (old)
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  K4: High level motorway information sign showing lane instructions for through traffic and exit panel showing intermediary destinations, with the motorway number and European route numbers (old)
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  K5: Non-motorway advance information panel showing intermediary destinations, road numbers, a viaduct symbol and a sign for an industrial zone
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  K6: Non-motorway information panels showing intermediary destinations and non-motorway road numbers
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  K7: Signposts for cyclists and moped riders (finger posts) showing local and intermediary destinations, municipal cycle route numbers (above) and showing intermediary destinations and intermediary cycle route numbers (below)
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  K8: Signposts (multiple) for cyclists and moped riders showing intermediary destinations and indicating an alternative route (in italics) to one of the destinations
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  K9: Diversion with alternative route shown on an advance warning panel for a non-motorway highway
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  K10: Advance warning panel within a built-up area showing an intermediary destination, local destinations, local tourist sights, local facilities and road numbers through the town
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  K11: Lane instructions on a non-motorway highway. Panel showing intermediary destinations, road numbers and directions to a motorway
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  K12: Local signpost within a built-up area showing names of individual districts (in traffic areas)
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  K13: Signpost within a built-up area showing district numbers (in traffic areas)
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  K14: Route for the conveyance of hazardous materials

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

K4 according to Rijkswaterstaat design guidelines

Wayfinding signs on non-motorway (K6, K7 and K8) according to the Richtlijn Bewegwijzering 2025

Series L: Information

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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
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  L13: Model sign traffic 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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  Road Barriers

Bilingual signage (Friesland)

In Friesland, a significant initiative is underway to introduce bilingual road signs featuring both Dutch and Frisian, responding to longstanding efforts to promote and make the minority language more visible in the public sphere. This rollout, scheduled to begin in 2026 along provincial roads, follows the agreement between the national government and the province, which allocated €18 million for language preservation. 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.

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  G13: bilingual version: optional cycle path
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  C2f + OB705: standard, Dutch only version: "go around", 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.

Toll Road

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. 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. 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. 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.

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

Retired signs (RVV 1966)

Below, signs are withdrawn or replaced with new diagrams of the same meaning.

Priority

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  B1: Priority road (1941-1990)
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  B1: End of priority road (1941-1950)
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  B2: End of priority road (1950-1990)
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  B7: Stop: Give way to traffic on the main road ahead (1950-1966)
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  B7: Stop: Give way to traffic on the main road ahead (1966-1979)

Prohibition and mandatory

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  C6: No access for vehicles with more than two wheels (1966-1990)
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  C7: No access for goods vehicles (1966-1990)
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  C8: No access for motor vehicles that cannot exceed 25 km/h (1966-1990)
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  No pedestrians (1966-1990)
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  Pedestrians only (1966-1990)

Special regulations

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  G3: Expressway (1941-1966)
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  G4: End of Expressway (1941-1966)
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  G3: Expressway (1966-1990)
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  G4: End of Expressway (1966-1990)
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  G5: Living street (1966-1990)
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  G6: End of Living street (1966-1990)

Warning

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  J37: Danger (1966-1990)
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  J24: Cyclist crossing (1966-1990)

Information

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  L2: Pedestrian crossing (1966-1990)
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  Underpass (1966-1990)

Influences

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.

External links

• Road Traffic Signs and Regulations in the Netherlands
• Official text of the Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens 1990 (in Dutch)
• Comprehensive overview of Dutch road signs (in Dutch)