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Driving in Netherlands – Recommendations, Tips and Tricks

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18. The speed of vehicles is monitored by special cameras and radars that are skillfully hidden in most unexpected places. The use and handling of radar detectors is prohibited by law. The violation of this rule includes the confiscation of the device and the fine of 250 euros.

19. Foreign drivers should not forget that there are usually large traffic jams at the entrances to major cities of the country, such as The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. In the territory of towns, traffic is usually very intense, and the presence of public transport and numerous bicycles only makes the situation even more complicated.

20. One more important peculiarity that can confuse foreign drivers is multi-level interchanges. Even an experienced driver can easily get lost in the maze of exits from these interchanges, so foreign visitors are recommended to travel in large cities with navigator.

21. Foreign motorists may see a huge number of unfamiliar road signs on the roads of the Netherlands. At first, you will surely find it difficult to understand them. However, many road signs are accompanied by intuitively understandable images, so in a short time you will find it very simple to understand their meaning.

22. A huge number of traffic lights will surely leave foreign visitors amazed. On some roads, the distance between traffic lights is only 30 - 50 meters. Taking into consideration the fact that traffic lights are usually not synchronized, you will understand why driving on such roads is not easy. As it has been noted above, in the Netherlands, there are special traffic lights for cyclists and public transport.

Hints on Car Hire in Netherlands

When choosing a car for your Netherlands trip, don’t forget to check and compare the franchise amount (indicated in the rental conditions) for all cars considered in your selection. The franchise may vary from 200 to 2000 euro/dollars even for cars of the same class. A thorough comparison will allow you to choose the option with the lowest franchise.

During your booking, we will offer you to take a full coverage of the franchise ('No Risk' or 'No Excess' package). If you book a car without full coverage, it is recommended to take it at the pick-up time - this will substantially reduce your financial liability in Netherlands for the whole rental period.

During your car pick-up in Netherlands, do not forget to check what to do in breakdown-, accident- or theft-cases. Most of our offers include 'Breakdown Assistance' package. Besides this, every rental office would be happy to assist you with this package.

Prior to the car return, please check your voucher for the fuel conditions. If it is indicated that a driver shall return the car with a full tank, do not forget to refuel it on the way back, this will save you from additional charges at the rental office.

If you are looking for a car hire in Netherlands, we advise you to check OrangeSmile.com actual rental offers. Just use the orange search form at the top. We guarantee that you would not be able to find better rates anywhere else!

23. In the Netherlands, traffic lights have only two light signals – the red and the green one. Therefore, switching from one signal to another happens without the yellow light. This peculiarity should be taken into consideration when you approach intersections and pedestrian crossings.

24. There are road patrol officers on duty on some difficult road parts. As a rule, one can see them near tramways and uncontrolled intersections. If the officer points to the road with one hand, this means that movement in all directions is allowed.

25. Road marking is usually not repeated by corresponding road signs. It is simply added to the pavement. It is really difficult to see road markings while driving, especially in heavy traffic. In winter, when it snows, driving on the roads of the country becomes even more difficult.

26. It is literally impossible to find a free parking space in the central parts of big cities. As a rule, free parking lots are located in remote areas. Many savvy travelers prefer to use such parking lots, leave their cars on them and get to the city center by public transport.

27. Rates for parking in the Netherlands are among the highest in Europe. One hour of parking usually costs 6 euro. If you manage to find a free parking space for 4 euro per hour, consider yourself a lucky person!

28. Almost all paid parking lots are equipped with special machines that accept payments. Different parking lots can have completely different payment machines. Some of them accept payments in coins only, while other machines may accept only banknotes, and some machines are operated by special plastic cards. In any case, tourists are recommended to stock up on coins in small denominations and remember that parking machines do not accept banknotes in large denominations (50 euro or more).

29. Describing distinguishing features of local parking machines, we simply cannot fail to mention the fact that some of them may require to input some additional information (for example, the car number). Later, this information is displayed on the check that should be placed on the car’s windshield. In large cities, it is often permitted to pay for parking using special cards only. Usual credit cards may not be accepted in this case.

30. On Sunday, a large part of city parking areas work for free. Only parking lots located in the city central part usually remain paid regardless of the day.

31. Parking lots in Amsterdam are considered the most expensive in the country. Foreign drivers should also not forget that they need to purchase a special card with a clock in order to use some parking lots. Such a card is placed under the car’s windshield, and the time of the arrival is set on the card. These cards can be purchased in any tobacco kiosk or a newsstand.

32. The majority of petrol stations work round the clock. It is always possible to buy fuel at petrol stations, located near large highways and in the central parts of settlements.

33. Regardless of the size of the city, you will likely find many one-way roads. Therefore, inexperienced drivers should think about an optimal travel route in advance in order to escape potential problems.

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