Loading and unloading: where is it allowed?

Where are you allowed to load and unload in the Netherlands?

You may load and unload anywhere you are allowed to stop. So also in places where parking is banned. In a list:

• Allowed: in a normal parking space, at a no parking sign, along a broken yellow line, on an erf outside the bays, and in a space for a specific group, such as a taxi rank.
• Not allowed: at a no stopping sign, along a solid yellow line, at a bus stop, on or next to a cycle lane, next to a bus lane, on a junction or level crossing, on a zebra crossing and within 5 metres of it, and in a tunnel.

Not sure about a place? Ask yourself: may I stop here? If the answer is yes, you may also load and unload there straight away. Make sure you do not block anyone.

Loading and unloading rules: what counts?

Loading and unloading means: you carry goods straight from your car to where they need to go, or the other way round. You do this without a break. It is about items that are large or heavy, such as boxes or a washing machine. Dropping off a small parcel or a letter does not automatically count.

Popping into a shop, waiting for someone to open the door or having a coffee is parking. Hazard lights on, the boot open or staying in the car does not change that.

What do you see?	What are you doing?	What is it?
	Unloading boxes or heavy items and carrying them inside straight away	Loading and unloading: stopping
	Letting someone get in or out straight away	Also stopping
	Waiting, calling or setting your navigation	Parking, even if it is short

How long may loading and unloading take?

There is no fixed time, such as five or ten minutes. You may stay as long as you are really busy loading or unloading. Finished, or doing something else? Then drive away, or find a place where you may park.

Council of State (Raad van State): what counts as immediate loading and unloading?

Loading and unloading sign: what does sign E7 mean?

Sign E7 marks a loading bay. You may only stop there to load or unload goods straight away. Parking is not allowed, not even briefly.

Letting someone get in or out straight away is stopping, not parking. Calling, waiting or setting your navigation is parking. So that is not allowed here.

Loading bay sign with times

Does a sub-plate show days or times? Then it is only a loading bay at those times. Outside those times you may park there, if no other sign or line bans it.

Many cities also have delivery time windows (venstertijden): times when goods vehicles may load and unload in the centre. The municipality sets those rules.

Can you load and unload at a bus stop?

No. You may not load and unload at a bus stop, not even very briefly. You may only stop there to let someone get in or out straight away.

The ban applies along the block markings on the kerb. No markings? Then it applies within 12 metres before and after the bus stop sign. Read more about stopping at a bus stop in stopping.

Can you load and unload in a disabled parking space?

Yes, if you really load or unload straight away. Without a valid card you may not park in a disabled parking space. Loading and unloading is not parking, so it is allowed. The same goes for letting someone get in or out.

Do you wait, or pop into a shop? Then you are parking. Without a valid disabled parking card that is not allowed.