Rush-hour lane

What is a rush-hour lane?

A rush-hour lane (spitsstrook) is an extra lane on the motorway. It only opens when it is busy, usually during rush hour. Often it is the hard shoulder that is then used as a lane.

When it is open, you may cross the solid white line that normally closes it off. The right-hand rush-hour lane is then the right-most lane.

What is the difference between a rush-hour lane and a hard shoulder?

A hard shoulder is for emergencies, such as a breakdown. A rush-hour lane is a hard shoulder that can open as a lane during rush hour. When it is open, there is no hard shoulder at that spot.

Breaking down? If you can, drive on to an emergency lay-by or another safe place. Are you stuck on an open rush-hour lane anyway? That is dangerous. Switch on your hazard lights. If it is safe, get out on the verge side and wait behind the crash barrier. Call 112 and give the road number, direction and the hectometre marker. Read more on breaking down.

What is the difference between a rush-hour lane and a plus lane?

A rush-hour lane is on the right, where the hard shoulder is. A plus lane (plusstrook) is on the left. It is made by making the lanes narrower. For both: when they are open, they are normal lanes and you keep right.

Rush-hour lane open: how can you tell?

By the green arrow above the lane. You can see these signs:

• A green arrow pointing down on the matrix sign above the lane. The arrow belongs to the lane below it and means: this lane is open.
• A roadside sign with the text spitsstrook open (rush-hour lane open).
• A sign showing the normal lanes as arrows, with a solid line and the rush-hour lane next to them.

Other symbols on the matrix sign, such as a number or a red cross, mean the same here as elsewhere on the motorway. See matrix signs.

Do you have to use the rush-hour lane?

Yes, in practice you do. On the motorway you keep right as much as possible. Is the right-hand rush-hour lane open and are you not overtaking? Then you drive on the rush-hour lane, if it is safe. Ignoring it because it is really the hard shoulder is not allowed.

Rush-hour lane signs: open, closed and end

Around the rush-hour lane there are three signs beside the road. They tell you what happens to the rush-hour lane:

• Rush-hour lane open: the rush-hour lane is a normal lane. Not overtaking? Then drive on it. You can see this sign at the top of this page.
• Clear the rush-hour lane: the rush-hour lane is closing. Move to the left in good time.
• End of the rush-hour lane: the lane ends. Merge safely to the left.

Above the lane the matrix signs show the same. A green arrow means: open. A red cross means: closed. You may not drive under a red cross.

Clearing the rush-hour lane: diagonal arrow and red cross

When the rush-hour lane closes, you first see a diagonal arrow. Move in good time to the lane the arrow points to. You may not drive under a red cross. Is the traffic next to you at a standstill? Then wait before the cross until you can merge safely. Do not get in the other driver’s way.

Rush-hour lane and hatched area: which lines may you cross?

When the rush-hour lane is open, you may cross the solid line to get onto it. Are you following the open rush-hour lane past a split or a merge? Then you may also drive over the hatched area or the gore area there. This exception only applies in this situation. Other solid lines and hatched areas are still forbidden. Read more on hatched areas.

Can you overtake on the right on a rush-hour lane?

No. An open rush-hour lane is a normal lane. You overtake on the left. Only in a traffic jam may you pass on the right via the rush-hour lane, if your lane moves faster. See overtaking on the right on the motorway.