Vehicle requirements, Tyres & Load

The distance between the cars is at most 5 metres, and both drivers must hold a driving licence.

No, winter tyres are not compulsory in the Netherlands. Choose tyres suited to actual conditions and check tread and pressure. A winter tyre does not automatically give the shortest stop at every temperature or on every wet surface. Check local winter-tyre rules when travelling abroad.

On a passenger car, indivisible loads may project at most 20 cm on either side and 1 metre at the front or rear. Divisible loads must not project forwards or be wider than the car; rear projection is at most 1 metre. Also respect total width, height, mass and secure restraint. Bicycles on a carrier count as load too. Trailer rules may differ.

Fitted car tyres in the Netherlands need at least 1.6 mm in the main grooves around the full circumference. This also applies to winter tyres and ordinary trailer tyres. At least 4 mm is a winter-use recommendation, not the Dutch legal limit. Check a carried spare before use; a spare in the luggage compartment is different from a tyre being driven on.

For an ordinary passenger car, category B normally permits a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500 kg. This is the registered limit including load, not permission to load every car to 3,500 kg. Passengers, accessories and luggage count; respect any lower vehicle limit and roof-load limit. Certain alternatively fuelled lorries and campers have a limited Dutch exception up to 4,250 kg, subject to conditions such as holding B for at least two years and not towing. Total car-and-load height is at most 4 metres.