Do you know when you are allowed to use a hatched road area (verdrijvingsvlak)? If you don’t know this during your theory exam, it could easily cause you to fail. It’s a question that many students get wrong.
As a course instructor at Nutheorie, I see this topic come up often. A hatched road area — the white section on the road with diagonal stripes — may look simple, but the exception to the rule is what causes confusion. And that exact exception is often asked on the CBR theory exam.
In this article, we clearly explain what a hatched road area is, when you absolutely cannot use it, and the one situation in which it is allowed.
What Is a Hatched Road Area?
A hatched road area is a white section on the road marked with diagonal stripes. It is used to separate traffic flows and to keep drivers away from dangerous parts of the road.
You will often see hatched road areas at:
- motorway acceleration and deceleration lanes
- lane splits
- areas where traffic lanes merge
The purpose of this marking is simple: to guide traffic and prevent dangerous situations.
What Are You NOT Allowed to Do on a Hatched Road Area?
Many drivers think you can sometimes use a hatched area, but in most situations this is not allowed. The rules are very clear.
On a hatched road area you are not allowed to:
- drive over it
- stop on it
- use it to overtake another vehicle
- use it to merge faster
The marking exists specifically to keep traffic away from that part of the road.
Can You Use a Hatched Area for an Ambulance?
A common misconception is that you can drive onto a hatched area to make space for an ambulance with flashing lights and sirens.
This is not allowed.
You may not drive over the hatched area to move aside. However, the ambulance itself is allowed to use the hatched area to overtake traffic if necessary.
When ARE You Allowed to Use a Hatched Road Area?
There is one important exception.
You may only use a hatched road area when a rush-hour lane (spitsstrook) is open.
When the rush-hour lane is open, the hatched area temporarily becomes a regular traffic lane. This is indicated by a green arrow above the road.
If you see a green arrow above the hatched area, it means:
- the rush-hour lane is open
- the hatched area temporarily becomes part of the lane
- you are allowed to drive on it
In all other situations, you must always stay off the hatched area.
This Is the Correct Answer on the Theory Exam
If you get the following question on the theory exam:
“When are you allowed to use a hatched road area?”
The correct answer is: Only when it is part of an open rush-hour lane.
Want to Stop Getting These Trick Questions Wrong?
The theory exam contains many trick questions like this. They often sound logical, but the rules work slightly differently than people expect.
During our in-person and online courses at Nutheorie, we explain the theory in a way that helps you truly understand the rules. This means you won’t have to guess during your exam.
That way, you can go into your CBR theory exam with confidence and increase your chances of passing on the first try.
