The traffic fine for speeding is the most common fine. It is determined by how many km/h you exceed the limit. Note: the amount of the fine also depends on the location where you are caught – inside or outside urban areas, or on the highway. The fine for speeding inside built-up areas is higher than outside them.

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The following fine amounts exclude administrative fees of €9.

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Fines in Work Zones,

30 km/h Zones and Exceeding 30 km/h Speeding

In road work zones and 30 km/h zones, the fines are often even higher. If you drive more than 30 kilometers too fast, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) determines the penalty.

The judiciary also looks at your past speeding offenses, limited to a 2-year period.

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Important Speeds for the CBR Theory Exam

Inside built-up area

A built-up area, also known as a town or city, starts as soon as you pass a sign with the name of the place. The standard maximum speed within built-up areas is 50 km/h.

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Within built-up areas, you may come across a zone where the maximum speed is 30 km/h. This is called a 30 km zone.Within built-up areas, you may also encounter a residential area (woonerf). In a woonerf, the maximum speed limit is 15 km/h.

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Outside built-up area

The end of a built-up area is indicated with a town name sign with a red slash through it. The standard maximum speed outside built-up areas is 80 km/h.

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The standard maximum speed limit outside built-up areas is 80 km/h. However, it sometimes happens that the maximum speed outside built-up areas is lower.In that case, the speed limit may be 50, 60, or 70 km/h, which will be indicated by a traffic sign like the one shown below.

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Special Roads

‍In addition to roads within and outside built-up areas, there are other types of roads, such as the expressway (autoweg) and the motorway (autosnelweg). These are called special roads.

On a motorway, the maximum speed limit is 130 km/h. A motorway can be recognized by a rectangular blue sign showing an image of a dual carriageway with a bridge above it.

On an expressway, the maximum speed limit is 100 km/h. An expressway is indicated by a square blue sign with a white image of a car on it.

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The expressway (autoweg) and motorway (autosnelweg) are not only special because of their maximum speed limits, but also because a minimum speed applies here.
On an expressway, the minimum speed is half of the maximum speed. So, if the maximum speed is 100 km/h, your vehicle must be able to drive at least 50 km/h.
On the motorway, you must be able to drive at least 60 km/h.

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Minimum speed on expressway = 50 km/h
Minimum speed on motorway = 60 km/h

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Just like on other roads, the speed limits on expressways and motorways can be adjusted.
In theory, you are allowed to drive the legal maximum speed of 130 km/h on a motorway, unless stated otherwise.
However, in practice, it has been decided that on all motorways in the Netherlands, a maximum speed limit of 100 km/h applies between 06:00 and 19:00 to reduce harmful emissions.
After 19:00, you may again drive up to 130 km/h. See the image below.

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Unsafe or undesired traffic behavior

• Using a mobile phone while driving: €430
• Tailgating: from €380, up to €900 depending on distance and speed
• Unnecessarily driving in the left lane on expressways/motorways: €280
• Improper overtaking (e.g., on the right): €310
• Not giving priority to the right: €310
• Causing unnecessary noise (e.g., honking): €310
• Ignoring red cross: €280
• Turning without signaling: €120
• Ignoring overtaking ban (traffic sign rules): €310
• Driving on sidewalk: €190
• Running red light: €310
• Stopping on shoulder/emergency lane without necessity: €310
• Standing still on the sidewalk: €120
• Blocking an intersection: €310
• Leaving a vehicle in a way that causes danger or obstruction: €190
• Not wearing seatbelt: €190
• Transporting children under 1.35m without car seat: €280
• Cutting through military or funeral procession: €120
• Not allowing passengers to enter/exit bus/tram: €310

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Important Information for the CBR Theory Exam

Phone Usage Rules

Important rule: Calling = Parking. If you want to use your phone, you must park. Just being stopped does not count – stopping is only allowed for loading/unloading or letting someone in/out. If you must call while driving, it must be hands-free (Bluetooth car kit or headset).

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Overtaking on the Right

‍Overtaking means passing someone. Normally we do this on the left, not on the right. If you do, you can be fined €310.

However, there are 5 exceptions where overtaking on the right is allowed:

1. Block markings – if there’s a block marking between you and another vehicle.
2. Traffic jams – if your lane moves faster than the one to the left.
3. Roundabouts – on or before a roundabout with multiple lanes.
4. Trams – you may overtake a tram on the right.
5. Left-turning vehicles – if someone is waiting to turn left, you may pass on the right.

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Emergency Lane & Refuge Area

The law is clear: you may only use the emergency lane if there’s an emergency – car trouble, health issues, or vehicle damage. In all other cases, it's reserved for emergency services. Unauthorized use results in a €310 fine.

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Refuge areas follow the same rules as emergency lanes: use only in emergencies. If marked with a “P” sign, you may stop for non-emergency reasons.

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Seatbelt & Child Seat

Wearing a seatbelt and using a proper child seat is essential. This falls under “vehicle safety” and “emergency response” in the exam. The standard seatbelt is the three-point belt, which must be worn snugly against the chest.

• All car occupants must wear the three-point seatbelt.
• From age 12, the individual is responsible.
• If a child under 12 isn’t wearing a belt, the driver gets the fine.
• If over 12, the passenger is fined.

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Children under 1.35 meters must sit in a certified child seat, as regular belts don't fit properly. The seat raises the child so the belt fits correctly across the chest. You may place a child seat in the front, but pay attention to airbag rules. If the seat faces backward, the airbag must be deactivated, or the child can be seriously injured in a crash.

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• Non-working brake lights: €190
• Non-working third brake light (after 30-09-2001): €120
• Unnecessary front fog light: €120
• Unnecessary rear fog light: €190

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Lighting Rules for the CBR Theory Exam

Low Beam

This is standard lighting and may be used at any time. Required in poor visibility.

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High Beam

‍Very bright and may only be used at night if there are no oncoming vehicles or vehicles ahead (to prevent blinding).

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City Lights (Parking Lights)

‍Used to make parked cars visible. Required at night on the roadway outside built-up areas.

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Daytime Running Lights

‍Found in cars made after 2010, automatically turn on when starting the car. Not to be used when low beam is required.

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Front Fog Lights

‍Use only in poor visibility from rain, snow, or fog. Not mandatory. Can be used with low beam, but not recommended.

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Rear Fog Light

Use only in less than 50m visibility due to fog or snow. Never use in rain, it causes dangerous reflection for drivers behind you.

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