Markings on the road surface
In addition to road signs and traffic lights, traffic is also controlled by markings on the road surface. These can be markings such as lines, but also numbers painted on the road surface indicating the speed limit or markings such as priority triangles and arrows.
- Edge line
Line on the edge of the road surface.
- Centre or axis line
Line in the middle of the carriageway, marking the separation between your side of the road and that of oncoming traffic.
- Lane line
Line that divides a carriageway or part of the road for one direction into lanes.
Solid line
Edge lines, axis lines and lane lines can be implemented as a solid line. Normally speaking, solid lines may not be crossed. In case of a solid axis line, you may not ride left of this line (on the side of oncoming traffic). When there is a solid line, you may not change lanes or overtake.
The following exceptions apply:
- An edge line may be crossed, for example to park in the verge.
- A solid edge line in between the carriageway and the adjacent lay-by, if you need to use the lay-by.
- If there is a broken line on your side of the solid line, you may cross the solid line.
- Drivers that use a cycle lane with a solid line, may cross this solid line.
A solid edge line may be crossed if you want to park in the verge.
A solid edge line next to a lay-by may be crossed if you need to use this lay-by.
A solid axis line may be crossed if there is a broken line on your side of this line.
Cyclists and snorfietsers may cross the solid line between the cycle lane and the adjacent lane, for example, to overtake.
Broken lines and warning lines
If an axis or centre line or lane line is executed as a broken line, then it may be crossed. In that case, you may overtake or change lanes if this is safe to do so.
Normally, with a broken line, the lines are shorter than the interruptions between them. Is the line longer than the interruption, then you should see this broken line as a warning line. This means that you are allowed to overtake, but that overtaking is more dangerous than overtaking with a normal broken edge line.
Normal broken axis line.
Axis line executed as a warning line.
Hatched road markings and dividing point
These surfaces consist of diagonal lines or a white plane and may not be crossed. Hatched road markings are, for example, used in places where a lane ends and the drivers need to merge into an adjacent lane.
You are not allowed to ride over hatched road markings.
Pre-sort lanes, deceleration lanes and arrows
Pre-sort lanes are located at (bigger) intersections and divide the carriageway into multiple lanes for different directions. On the lanes, arrows indicating the direction have been applied. In between the lanes for the different directions block markings are applied. Crossing these block markings is allowed until they transition into solid lines.
On the intersection itself, drivers are required to follow the direction of the arrow indicated on the pre-sort lane. So, pre-sorting to turn left and then continuing straight on the intersection is not allowed.
A special arrow that can occur on the pre-sort lane is an arrow with a hammerhead symbol. In most cases, it indicates that there is a side road before the turn. You are not allowed to enter that side road.
Deceleration lanes are lanes adjacent to the through carriageway which is used to exit the through carriageway. These lanes are also separated from the through carriageway by means of block markings and are different from the pre-sort lanes mentioned before.
A soon as you reach the arrows on a deceleration lane, you are no longer allowed to re-enter the through carriageway.
Pre-sort lanes with directional arrows. You are still allowed to switch lanes here.
From the moment arrows are applied on the deceleration lane, you are no longer allowed to re-enter the through carriageway.
Stop line
At an intersection where the ‘STOP’ sign is placed, a stop line must be applied on the road surface. In that case, drivers must stop in front of the stop line, regardless of whether other traffic is present or not.
Usually, stop lines are applied so that from the stop line you have a good view of the situation you have to stop for, such as an intersection or crossing.
The line at a traffic light or level crossing is also called a stop line. However, in that case, you only have to stop if the traffic light is yellow or red, or if the level crossing light flashes red.
Stop sign B-7 with a stop line.
Priority sign B-6 and priority triangles.
Priority triangles (shark’s teeth)
These are priority triangles that are applied on the road surface. Priority triangles mean: ‘give way to drivers on the intersecting road’.
They are usually used in combination with sign B-6, but this is not mandatory. Even without this sign, they have the same meaning.
Sometimes, before you reach the priority triangles, the priority situation is already announced by means of a large warning triangle on the road surface.
Bus lanes and bus carriageways
This is a carriageway or lane on which the word ‘BUS’ or ‘LIJNBUS’ is applied. A bus lane is separated from the carriageway by means of a broken or solid line.
In case of the word ‘BUS’, only drivers of buses (including coaches) and public buses are allowed to use this lane or carriageway.
In case of the word ‘LIJNBUS’, only drivers of public buses are allowed to use this lane or carriageway.
Emergency vehicles are also allowed to use the bus lane or bus carriageway, because they do not have to adhere to declarations of closures, provided that they have an urgent task to fulfil.
A bus carriageway is separated from the through carriageway.
A bus lane is part of the carriageway.
Cycle lanes and suggested (cycle) lanes and bike boxes (ASL)
A cycle lane can be separated by a broken or solid line. In addition to that, a symbol of a bicycle must be applied on the road surface. If this is not the case, then it is not a cycle lane but a suggested (cycle) lane. Suggested (cycle) lanes have no legal meaning. They may be used by anyone. You are also allowed to stop and park here.
A special type of cycle lane is the bike box or ASL (Advanced Stop Line). The purpose of this lane is to enable vulnerable road users such as cyclists, snorfietsers and drivers of disability vehicles to pre-sort safer and more visibly to other drivers while waiting at a traffic light.
As a moped rider or driver of a brommobiel or speed pedelec, you are not allowed to stop on a bike box. You must pre-sort behind the bike box.
A cycle lane is recognisable through the bicycle symbol. Without this symbol it is a suggested (cycle) lane.
A moped rider must pre-sort behind the bike box, just as a driver of a brommobiel, speed pedelec or motor vehicle.
Yellow lines on the side of the road
You can encounter solid or broken yellow lines on kerbs or carriageway edges.
- You are not allowed to stop next to a solid yellow line.
- Next to a broken yellow line, you are allowed to stop, but you are not allowed to park.
Yellow lines on the road surface
You can encounter yellow lines on the road surface as temporary markings during roadworks. These lines supersede the normal white lines and markings.
Blue lines
Blue lines on the road are used at parking places and parking lanes where the use of a parking disc is mandatory. This only applies to brommobielen. You are not allowed to place a moped, speed pedelec or snorfiets in a parking space.
Yellow solid line on a kerb. You are not allowed to stop here, so also not to let someone get on or off.
Blue line alongside a parking lane. You must use a parking disc here.
Blocked markings or checkered markings
You encounter these markings on the pavement at bus stops and it indicates what space the bus needs to be able to stop at the bus stop. With this, the blocked markings immediately indicate a prohibition. You are not allowed to stop at the hight of these markings, unless you immediately let passengers get on or off.
Block markings
This is different from the blocked markings (checkered markings). You can find block markings on the road surface in between two lanes, for example, at acceleration or deceleration lanes and pre-sort lanes.
You can often find blocked markings at the hight of a bus stop.
Block markings are applied in between, for example, the pre-sort lanes at an intersection.
Zigzag lines
These are lines applied on the road surface to warn you of a dangerous point. This could be, for example, a crossing or a dangerous intersection. These markings do not say anything about the priority, but it is wise to lower your speed.
Zigzag lines warn of a dangerous point.
Auxiliary markings
These include the markings on the road that are applied as an aid, for example, speed limits that are applied on the road surface. But the lines that indicate that you are entering or exiting a zone, and the lines that mark a speed bump also fall under the auxiliary markings.
Zone markings and speed limits on the road surface are an additional aid for zone signs.
The lines marking speed bumps also fall under auxiliary markings.