Speed limits

Speed limits are usually indicated by means of signs. But it is certainly not the case that you can always go the speed limit everywhere. There are plenty of reasons to diverge from this speed.

For example, you are expected to consider the following factors:

the nature and condition of the road, think of speed bumps, holes and dirt;
the weather conditions, think of slipperiness, rain and fog;
the condition of your vehicle, think of the tread of your tyres and how well the vehicle is maintained;
how busy the road is.

It is expected of you to have the insight to determine the correct speed for each situation.

You must be able to stop your vehicle within the distance over which the road can be overseen and over which it is free. It is expected of you that you adapt your speed and distance to the vehicle in front of you.

Trailer: Vehicle pulled by another vehicle or intended for that purpose. A towed motor vehicle also falls under trailers.
Passenger car: Vehicle on four or more wheels, designed for the transport of people. A passenger car does not have more than eight seats for passengers, excluding the driver seat. A passenger car is not a motor carriage with a limited speed or a disability vehicle.
Motorcycle: Motor vehicle on two wheels, with or without sidecar or trailer. The maximum construction speed is more than 45 km/h.
Three-wheeled motor vehicle: Motor vehicle on three or four wheels, usually without a closed bodywork. The maximum construction speed is more than 45 km/h. These are usually trikes or quads. Even though they are called three-wheeled motor vehicles, they can also have four wheels.
Lorry: Motor vehicle, not designed for the transport of people, of which the maximum allowed mass is more than 3,500 kg.
Bus: Motor vehicle designed for the transport of more than eight people, the driver not included.
T100-bus: Bus with an annotation on the vehicle registration certificate or in the vehicle registration register showing that it is eligible of an increased maximum speed of 100 km/h. Most buses are provided with a round sticker with a red border with the number 100 in it. Think of touring cars with this.
Public bus: Motor vehicle that is used for public transport.
Erf: An area indicated by sign G-5. A lot of people live, and children play, in this area. The speed limit is 15 km/h. Pedestrians are allowed to use the entire width of the road inside an erf.
Within the built-up area: Area within the borders of a village or city. Indicated by sign H-1 with the name of the village or city you are entering on it. The speed limit is 50 km/h, unless otherwise indicated.
Outside the built-up area: Area outside the borders of a village or city. Indicated by sign H-2 with the name of the village or city you are leaving on it. The speed limit is 80 km/h, unless otherwise indicated.
Autoweg: Road indicated by sign G-3 where a speed limit of 100 km/h, unless otherwise indicated. An autoweg with only one carriageway can be recognised by a green axis line. Moped riders are not allowed to go here because the minimum admission speed for these roads is 50 km/h.
Motorway: Road indicated by sign G-1 where a speed limit of 130 km/h applies, unles otherwise indicated. Moped riders are not allowed to go here because the minimum admission speed for these roads is 60 km/h.

Extra information speed limits

Speed limits inside the built-up area

Within the built-up area, the following speed limits apply:

for motor vehicles: 50 km/h;
for motor vehicles with a limited speed, such as agricultural tractors: 40 km/h¹;
for moped riders, speed pedelecs and disability vehicles fitted with an engine:
- on the carriageway: 45 km/h;
- on the cycle lane: 30 km/h; this also applies to disability vehicles on the cycle lane;
for snorfietsers: 25 km/h;
for brommobielen: 45 km/h;
for disability vehicles on the pavement or footpath: 6 km/h.

bibek snelheid — Within the built-up area, the speed limit for a speed pedelec on the cycle/moped path is 30 km/h.

bubek snelheid — Outside the built-up area, the speed limit for a moped rider on the cycle/moped path is 40 km/h.

Speed limits outside the built-up area

Outside the built-up area, the following speed limits apply:

for motor vehicles: 80 km/h;
for motor vehicles with a limited speed, such as agricultural tractors: 40 km/h;
for moped riders, speed pedelecs and disability vehicles fitted with an engine:
- on the carriageway: 45 km/h;
- on the cycle/moped path: 40 km/h; this also applies to disability vehicles on the cycle lane;
for snorfietsers: 25 km/h;
for brommobielen: 45 km/h;
for disability vehicles on the pavement or footpath: 6 km/h.

¹ The speed limit of agricultural vehicles depends on the layout of the road an can be lower in certain situations. But legally speaking it is 40 km/h. The exact legislation is not asked.