Road users

Anyone who uses the road is a road user, also referred to as traffic. Different rules apply to different types of road users, which divides them into categories. The first subcategory of road users is pedestrians and drivers.

Traffic

Traffic and traffic participants are the same as road users.

Road users

Pedestrians, cyclists, moped riders, disability vehicle drivers, motor vehicle drivers, tram drivers, horse riders, handlers of horses and livestock, and drivers of horse drawn vehicles or handcarts.

Vehicles

Bicycles, mopeds, disability vehicles, motor vehicles, trams, and carriages.

Extra information road users

Pedestrians

Pedestrians are usually people on foot. They can also be people pushing a motorcycle, moped, or bicycle by hand, or using a scooter, skateboard, or rollerblades.

Drivers

All road users except pedestrians.

Drivers

Drivers are people driving vehicles or riding animals such as horses. Handlers of horses and livestock are also drivers. Basically, all road users who are not pedestrians are drivers. Driving instructors giving lessons and carrying out driving exams are also drivers.

All road users who are not pedestrians are drivers.
Pedestrians + drivers = road users

Drivers of disability vehicles

Drivers of disability vehicles can be subject to rules applicable to both pedestrians and drivers, depending on where they are driving.

Disability vehicle

A vehicle designed to transport people with disabilities. No wider than 1.10 metres and not equipped with an engine at all, or equipped with an engine allowing a maximum speed of 45 km/h. Not a moped.

If the driver of a disability vehicle is using the carriageway, cycle lane, or cycle/moped path, they are subject to the rules applicable to drivers. However, if they are using the pavement or footpath, or are crossing a carriageway from one pavement or footpath to another, they are subject to the rules applicable to pedestrians.

Moped

A motorised vehicle on two, three, or four wheels, which cannot and may not exceed 45 km/h. Mopeds also include brommobielen, snorfietsen, and speed pedelecs.

Brommobiel (microcar)

A moped on more than two wheels that is equipped with a body. Brommobielen weigh a maximum of 350 kg and are not disability vehicles.

Snorfiets

Moped designed for a maximum speed of 25 km/h according to the national vehicle register. Snorfietsen are not bicycles with pedal assistance.

Speed pedelec

Electric bicycle with pedal assistance that maintains driving force when the vehicle is travelling faster than 25 km/h. Unlike a normal electric bicycle or bicycle with pedal assistance, where the driving force stops at 25 km/h. Speed pedelecs are a type of moped, which means they may be driven at a maximum speed of 45 km/h.

Motor vehicles

All motorised vehicles except:

• mopeds (including brommobielen, snorfietsen, and speed pedelecs);
• bicycles with pedal assistance;
• disability vehicles;
• trams;
• metros;
• trains.

Mopeds and motorised disability vehicles are classed as motor carriages!

Drivers of motor vehicles

A number of motorised vehicles are not classed as motor vehicles, which means drivers of these vehicles are not subject to the rules applicable to drivers of motor vehicles. There is one exception to this. Brommobielen are a type of moped and are therefore not motor vehicles. However, on public roads, drivers of brommobielen must follow the rules applicable to drivers of motor vehicles. If something is prohibited for motor vehicle drivers, brommobiel drivers are also subject to that prohibition.

Drivers of bicycles, mopeds, snorfietsen, and speed pedelecs

While brommobiel drivers are subject to different rules than drivers of ‘regular’ mopeds, snorfietsers are subject to the rules applicable to cyclists. If a sign depicts a bicycle, the sign also applies to snorfietsers, unless otherwise indicated. Drivers of speed pedelecs, however, are subject to the rules applicable to mopeds.

Horse riders and handlers of horses and livestock

Road users in this group are drivers, regardless of whether they are riding an animal or guiding it. Horse riders are drivers, as are persons walking and handling horses. This applies to all riding animals and livestock. Domestic pets are not riding animals or livestock, so dog walkers for example are simply pedestrians.

Carriage drivers

These are drivers of horse drawn vehicles or handcarts. Horse drawn vehicles are pulled by one or more horses in front, while handcarts are pushed or drawn by a person. Pedestrians forming a procession or convoy, such as a carnival parade or a funeral procession, are also considered carriages.