Special manoeuvres

What are special manoeuvres in Dutch traffic?

Special manoeuvres are actions where you cross normal traffic or may get in its way. Are you doing one? Then you let all other traffic go first, including pedestrians and cyclists. These are the special manoeuvres:

Pulling away and reversing When reversing, you also let a pedestrian pass.	Driving out of an exit or into a driveway The learner car waits for the pedestrian and the cyclist.
Turning around Only turn around when the road is clear and it is allowed.	From the acceleration lane onto the main carriageway Traffic on the main carriageway goes first.
From the main carriageway onto the exit lane Traffic already on the exit lane goes first.	Changing lanes Traffic in the other lane goes first.

Memory aid: whoever does something special waits. That applies everywhere, also in a car park.

Is someone else doing the manoeuvre? Then they must let you go first. But never assume the other driver will really wait. Avoiding a crash always comes first.

You may not block anyone when getting in or out or opening a door either. Read about it in getting in and out.

Special manoeuvres on the practical driving test

On the practical driving test, exercises such as parking and turning around are called special manoeuvres (bijzondere verrichtingen). That is something else. For the theory exam it is about the priority rule above.

Merging onto and leaving the motorway

Merging is also a special manoeuvre: traffic on the main carriageway goes first. Read how to merge and exit on the motorway in merging and exiting.

Exception: a bus leaving a stop

Does a bus inside a built-up area signal that it wants to pull away from a stop? Then you give it the chance. Read more in large vehicles.

Special manoeuvres by car: reversing, pulling away and turning around

Reversing

Reversing is allowed on a normal road, if you do not block anyone. It is never allowed on a motorway or autoweg. Look all around, also over your shoulder, and drive at walking pace. Is someone passing? Then stop and let them go first.

Pulling away

Want to pull away from a parking bay or the kerb? Then wait until you will not block anyone. Use your indicator. Indicating does not give you priority.

Another car reverses

Is another car reversing out of a bay? Then that driver must let you go first. Stay alert and brake if needed.

Turning around

• On a normal road you may turn around if signs and lines allow it, you have enough view and space, and you let all other traffic go first.
• Is there a solid line? Then you may not turn around.
• On an autoweg and a motorway turning around is never allowed. Traffic approaches at high speed there.
• In a one-way street turning around is not allowed, because you would drive against the traffic.

Missed your exit on the motorway? Drive on to the next exit. Do not reverse, do not turn around and do not drive back along the hard shoulder.