Anyone who does not follow the rules can get a ticket. Often these are minor offences, such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, not wearing a helmet or cycling without lights. By doing so, people put others at risk. Tickets are meant to discourage road users from breaking traffic rules. To do that they must be high enough, otherwise they would not deter, or not deter enough. This page describes the situation in the Netherlands.
Consequences of a fine or ticket
Minor traffic offences do not lead to a criminal case. Instead, an administrative sanction is imposed under the Administrative Enforcement of Traffic Regulations Act (Wet administratiefrechtelijke handhaving verkeersvoorschriften), known as the Mulder Act (Wet Mulder) (article 2). Such a fine can be recognised by the letter M at the top right of the letter. For more serious traffic offences, a penalty order (strafbeschikking) can be imposed (source: Openbaar Ministerie, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service).
The Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB) sends and collects traffic fines. A Mulder fine must be paid no later than two weeks after it has become final (article 23 of the Mulder Act). Anyone who disagrees with the fine can appeal to the public prosecutor (officier van justitie) and then to the subdistrict court judge (kantonrechter) (articles 6 and 9 of the Mulder Act).
Appealing against a traffic fine
Does the driver believe they have received a fine unjustly? Then they can appeal against the traffic fine. Nowadays this can also be done online. The Digital Traffic Desk (Digitaal Loket Verkeer) has existed for a number of years and was set up by the CJIB, the Public Prosecution Service (Openbaar Ministerie, OM) and the police. Anyone who has received a fine and disagrees with it only needs to go through a few steps to submit a valid appeal. This is fairly simple and no paper or stamp is involved.
You can object via the OM website. Log in using your DigiD (the Dutch digital identity login) and the CJIB number that you can find on the letter. Once you are logged in, you go through a number of steps and state why you disagree with the fine. You may be asked for any supporting evidence. Speed camera photos can also be requested via this desk.
Paying late
What happens if someone pays late? First of all, they receive a reminder. If you do not pay despite repeated reminders, the bailiff may come round. This bailiff can seize goods, income or other assets without the involvement of the subdistrict court judge (kantonrechter). So it is important to do something: pay or appeal.
If the value of the goods, income or assets is too low, or the fine cannot be collected for another reason, the subdistrict court judge or the public prosecutor imposes a coercive measure. This may be, for example, taking your driving licence. Somewhat harsher penalties include taking the vehicle off the road, civil detention (gijzeling) or detention (hechtenis). Civil detention means that you are temporarily locked up because a fine has not been paid. It does not replace the fine, but it encourages you to pay the fine. The police will always contact you in writing to give you a last chance to pay the fine. Still not paying? Then the police apply the coercive measure.
Overview of outstanding fines
For most Dutch people it is not necessary, because they usually do not commit several offences in quick succession, but in principle an overview of outstanding fines is available. This overview can be requested on the CJIB website.
You can request an overview by filling in the online form Aanvraag Overzicht Openstaande Zaken (request for an overview of outstanding cases). You will need to fill in a few details. This form is sent digitally to the CJIB and the request is then dealt with quickly.
Travelling abroad with a fine in your name
Is there a fine in the traveller's name? Then the traveller cannot travel abroad. At the border exit check, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Koninklijke Marechaussee) checks whether there are any outstanding fines. These fines must be paid immediately when leaving the country. This applies to fines collected by the CJIB. Only once the fine has been paid can the traveller continue on their way.
A complete overview of traffic fines for cars in the Netherlands
There are millions of cars on the road in the Netherlands. They share the road with other road users, such as lorries, trams, pedestrians and cyclists. To keep all of this running smoothly, requirements have been set for drivers and for vehicles. Drivers must also obey the traffic rules and traffic signs. If they do not, they can get a fine.
The amounts in the tables below come from the Public Prosecution Service's fact book (Feitenboekje, January 2026 edition) and apply to the driver of a passenger car. For an OM offence (OM-feit), the Feitenboekje does not give a fixed amount: the public prosecutor then decides the penalty, through a penalty order (strafbeschikking) or a summons (dagvaarding).
Read also: No third-party car insurance? Risk of a large fine, Mandatory MOT (APK) for tractors and Cycling and alcohol.
Fines: requirements for the driver
Anyone who wants to drive a car must meet certain requirements. For example, the driver must have a driving licence that has not expired. It is also mandatory to wear a seatbelt, and you must not have drunk too much alcohol. Anyone who does not meet the requirements for driving a car will get a fine.
| Type of offence | Offence code | Fine amount |
|---|---|---|
| Not wearing a seatbelt | R 533 | €190 |
| Carrying a child without a special restraint | R 535 f, R 535 k, R 535 g, R 535 h | €280 |
| Incorrect use of the seatbelt or child restraint system | R 535 oa, R 535 ob | €190 (seatbelt), €280 (child restraint system) |
| Driving licence expired < 1 year | K 060 e | €130 |
| Driving licence expired > 1 year | K 060 f | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Driving licence not properly legible | K 060 c | €130 |
| Driver cannot show driving licence | K 150 c | €110 |
| Driving licence does not meet the requirements | K 060 a | €65 |
| Not handing in a driving licence declared invalid to the CBR (Dutch driving test organisation) | K 125 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not handing in a driving licence when demanded by the minister | E 320 c | €290 |
| Driving while the driving licence has been seized/taken under the Mulder Act (Wet Mulder) | K 006 a, K 006 b | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Driving licence for the wrong category | K 055 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| As a 17-year-old with a driving licence, driving a motor vehicle without the supervisor named on the supervisor pass (begeleiderspas) | K 065 cc | €190 |
| Giving driving lessons without the required certificate (commercially) | K 805 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol: 0.22 to 0.80‰ (95 to 350 µg/l), novice driver | GA 305 a, GA 305 b, GA 306 a, GA 306 b | €300 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol: 0.54 to 0.80‰ (235 to 350 µg/l) | GA 300 a, GA 301 a | €300 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol: 0.81 to 1.00‰ (355 to 435 µg/l) | GA 300 b | €425 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol: 1.01 to 1.15‰ (440 to 500 µg/l) | GA 300 c | €550 |
| Driving under the influence of alcohol: 1.16 to 1.30‰ (505 to 570 µg/l) | GA 300 d, GA 301 d | €650 |
| Not cooperating with a preliminary alcohol check/breath test on the street | K 155 a, K 155 b, K 155 c | €320 |
| Using the horn in a way that is not allowed | R 419 | €190 |
| Causing unnecessary noise | R 522 | €320 |
| Driving without third-party liability insurance (WA) (car with a registration) | no offence code since 1 January 2025 | €700 for a first offence (penalty order (strafbeschikking) from the Public Prosecution Service, OM Guideline for prosecution under the WAM 2025R004) |
Fines: requirements for the vehicle
Vehicles must meet specific requirements. These requirements are there to ensure that these vehicles can take part in traffic safely. If a vehicle does not meet these requirements and, for example, has a defective tyre, the police will stop the driver and the driver will get a fine.
| Type of offence | Offence code | Fine amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 defective tyre | N 270 a, N 270 e, N 270 i, N 270 m, N 270 r | €190 |
| 2 defective tyres | N 270 b, N 270 f, N 270 j, N 270 n, N 270 s | €280 |
| 3 defective tyres | N 270 c, N 270 g, N 270 k, N 270 o, N 270 t | €420 |
| 4 defective tyres | N 270 d, N 270 h, N 270 l, N 270 p, N 270 u | €550 |
| Defective suspension/shock absorbers | N 280 | €190 |
| Defective hinges and/or locks | N 410 a, N 410 b, N 410 c | €190 |
| Poor condition of chassis/bodywork/frame | N 480 a, N 030 a, N 030 b, N 480 b, N 480 c | €320 |
| Incorrect vehicle dimensions | N 060 a, N 060 b | €190 |
| No or defective seatbelts where required | N 470 a, N 470 b, N 470 c | €190 |
| Improperly fixed seats | N 460 c, N 460 aa | €190 |
| Defective horn | N 710 a | €130 |
| Defective steering | N 290 | €320 |
| Having a radar detector in or on the vehicle | N 010 n | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Overloaded by more than 10 per cent | P 173 e | €190 |
| Overloaded by more than 25 per cent | P 173 f | €280 |
| Overloaded by more than 50 per cent | P 173 g | €420 |
| Overloaded by more than 75 per cent | P 173 h | €550 |
| Load protrudes more than 1 metre (up to and including 0.75 m) | P 121 j | €190 |
| Load protrudes more than 1 metre (more than 0.75 m) | P 121 k | €280 |
| Battery improperly secured | N 120 a | €190 |
| Wiring improperly secured | N 120 b | €190 |
| LPG system does not meet the requirements | N 100 | €320 |
| Exhaust system improperly secured | N 110 b | €190 |
| Engine not properly secured | N 130 a, N 130 b | €190 |
| Insufficient braking deceleration 0 to 0.5 m/s² | N 381 a | €320 |
| Insufficient braking deceleration 0.51 to 1.0 m/s² | N 381 b | €480 |
| Insufficient braking deceleration 1.01 to 1.5 m/s² | N 381 c | €650 |
| Insufficient braking deceleration 1.51 to 2.0 m/s² | N 381 d | €950 |
| Insufficient braking deceleration > 2.0 m/s² | N 381 e | €1,400 |
| Defective handbrake/parking brake | N 390 a | €130 |
| Defective brake/brake parts | N 310 a, N 310 aa | €320 |
| No demisting system | N 440 a | €190 |
| View obstructed by objects in front of/on windows | N 420 b | €190 |
| No required exterior mirrors when towing a trailer | P 050 | €320 |
| Necessary required mirror/mirrors missing | N 450 a | €190 |
| Defective windscreen washer | N 430 d | €190 |
| Defective windscreen wipers | N 430 a | €190 |
| The windscreen and/or side windows next to the driver let through too little light < 55% | N 420 d | €320 |
| Defective reversing light | N 514 h | €65 |
| Defective flashing lights | N 514 b | €130 |
| Defective brake lights | N 514 d | €190 |
| Defective direction indicator/indicators | N 514 a, N 514 c | €130 |
| Defective red rear reflectors | N 514 f | €130 |
| Defective lighting | N 640, N 650, N 651 | €190 |
| Defective light fitting | N 550 | €130 |
Fines: MOT certificate (APK)
To ensure that vehicles meet the technical requirements, the authorities go further than just fining non-compliant vehicles that are stopped. They also apply a preventive policy through the MOT (APK) inspection. Thanks to the MOT, vehicles are checked regularly. This MOT inspection is mandatory. Anyone who does not have a valid inspection certificate will get a fine. If the vehicle also does not meet the technical requirements, a fine will be imposed for that as well.
| Type of offence | Offence code | Fine amount |
|---|---|---|
| No or invalid inspection certificate | K 045 a, K 045 b | €190 |
Fines: registration
It is important that the police can identify vehicles and their owners. That is why you must have a registration certificate and the vehicle must be fitted with a proper licence plate. If this is not the case, the police will impose a fine.
| Type of offence | Offence code | Fine amount |
|---|---|---|
| Driving without the required registration or registration certificate | K 027 a | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Registration certificate not properly legible | K 025 | €65 |
| Unable to show registration certificate | K 150 a | €65 |
| Defective licence plates | K 405 | €190 |
Fines: traffic signs
To keep traffic running smoothly, the road authority has put up many instructions in the form of traffic signs. Some traffic signs indicate what the driver must do, other traffic signs contain a prohibition. It is important that road users always look carefully at the traffic signs and follow the instructions. If you do not follow these instructions, you can get a fine. The amount of the fine depends, among other things, on which traffic sign you ignore.
| Type of offence | Offence code | Fine amount |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeding weight - C20, C21 (no more than 10%) | R 567 a | €190 |
| Exceeding weight - C20, C21 (11 up to and including 20%) | R 567 b | €280 |
| Exceeding weight - C20, C21 (21 up to and including 30%) | R 567 c | €420 |
| Exceeding weight - C20, C21 (31 up to and including 40%) | R 567 d | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Exceeding weight - C20, C21 (41 up to and including 50%) | R 567 e | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Exceeding weight - C20, C21 (more than 50%) | R 567 f | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Exceeding dimensions - C17 to C19 | R 564, R 565, R 566 | €190 |
| Overtaking where prohibited - sign F1 | R 593 | €320 |
| Parking at a taxi rank | R 397 d | €130 |
| Parking where only loading/unloading is allowed | R 397 h | €130 |
| Parking where prohibited - sign E1 | R 584 | €130 |
| Stopping where prohibited - sign E2 | R 585 | €130 |
| Entering where prohibited - sign C1, C6, C12 | R 550 a, R 553 b, R 559, R 553 d | €130 |
| Entering where prohibited, concerning a lane reserved for specific road users | R 550b | €150 |
| Turning round where prohibited - sign F7 | R 596 | €190 |
| Driving against the direction of traffic - sign C2, C3 and C4 | R 551 b, R 552 a, R 552 b | €190, but a summons if on a main road (autoweg) or motorway (demand at the hearing: fine and driving ban) |
| Ignoring the mandatory direction - sign D1 to D7 | R 574, R 575, R 576, R 577, R 578, R 579 | €130 |
| Not giving way at a stop sign - sign B7 | R 549 b | €320 |
Fines: traffic rules
In addition to the traffic signs that give specific instructions in specific cases, there are also general traffic rules that always apply. For example, drivers may not drive in the bus lane and may not tailgate. Breaking these general traffic rules can also lead to hefty fines.
| Type of offence | Offence code | Fine amount |
|---|---|---|
| Not giving way at shark's teeth markings | R 621 | €320 |
| Not stopping at the stop line | R 620 | €130 |
| Not getting into lane in a filter lane | R 619, R 619 a | €320 |
| Driving in the bus lane | R 622, R 622 a | €190 |
| Crossing a solid line | R 617 b, R 617 c | €320 |
| Not stopping at a stop signal, red lamp, flag etc. (instructions from police/traffic warden etc.) | R 628 a, R 628 b, R 628 c | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not following instructions from a traffic controller/traffic warden/authorised officer | R 627 a, R 630 a, R 630 b, K 010 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not being able to bring your vehicle to a stop within a safe distance ("tailgating"), speed up to and including 80 km/h | S 005 a | €380 |
| Not being able to bring your vehicle to a stop within a safe distance ("tailgating"), speed > 80 up to and including 100 km/h and distance between vehicles 3 metres or more | S 005 c | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not being able to bring your vehicle to a stop within a safe distance ("tailgating"), speed > 80 up to and including 100 km/h and distance between vehicles less than 3 metres | S 005 d | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not being able to bring your vehicle to a stop within a safe distance ("tailgating"), speed > 100 up to and including 120 km/h and distance between vehicles 3 metres or more | S 005 e | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not using a direction indicator where necessary | R 513, R 514, R 515, R 516, R 517, R 518, R 346 | €130 |
| Blocking a junction | R 331 | €320 |
| More than 5 m between the towed vehicle and the vehicle | R 501 | €130 |
| Not placing a warning triangle | R 526 | €190 |
| Not keeping to the right of the road | R 303 a | €320 |
| Not driving on the designated carriageway | R 315 a | €190 |
| Offering a car for sale where this is not allowed | R 493 | €260 |
| Driving in a lane against a red cross: lane signalling | R 610 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Driving through a red traffic light | R 602, R 604 | €320 |
| Driving through a red light/flashing light at a bridge | R 609 | €320 |
| Driving through a red flashing light at a level crossing | R 608 | €320 |
| Not giving way to a bus at a bus stop | R 519 | €190 |
| Not giving way to a person with reduced mobility | R 481 b | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not giving way to a blind person with a white cane | R 481 a | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not giving way to a tram | R 338 | €320 |
| Not giving way to public transport passengers getting on/off | R 492 | €320 |
| Not giving way to other traffic when reversing | R 506 | €320 |
| Not giving way to other traffic when turning round | R 509 | €320 |
| Not giving way to other traffic when pulling away | R 505 | €320 |
| Not giving way to other traffic when changing lanes | R 512 | €320 |
| Not giving way to other traffic when coming out of an exit | R 507 | €320 |
| Not giving way to other traffic when entering a driveway | R 508 | €320 |
| Not giving way to a pedestrian on/at a zebra crossing | R 482 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Cutting through a military convoy | R 341 | €130 |
| Not giving way to a priority vehicle (with siren and flashing light) | R 486 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Hand-held phone use | R 545 | €440 |
| Overtaking just before or on a zebra crossing | R 328 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Overtaking on the right | R 326 | €320 |
| Illegal parking | R 397 a, R 397 b, R 397 c, R 397 d, R 397 e, R 397 f, R 397 g, R 397 h, R 397 i, R 397 j, R 398 | €130 |
| Illegal parking in a blue zone | R 400 ae, R 400 af, R 400 ab, R 401 | €130 |
| Illegal parking in a disabled parking space | R 402 d, R 402 b, R 402 c | €400 (R 402 c: €500) |
| Stopping with possible danger to others | R 395 | €190 |
| Parking without putting money in the parking meter | R 403 a, R 403 b, R 405 | €130 |
| Reversing (motorway/main road) | R 463, R 470 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Using the verge (motorway/main road) | R 465 b, R 472 b | €190 |
| Turning round (motorway/main road) | R 462, R 469 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Driving on the hard shoulder or emergency lay-by (motorway/main road) | R 465 a, R 472 a | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Stopping on the hard shoulder or emergency lay-by (motorway/main road) | R 465 c, R 472 c | €320 |
| Stopping on the carriageway (motorway/main road) | R 464, R 471 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Vehicle that cannot go faster than 60 km/h on the motorway or 50 km/h on a main road | R 461, R 468 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Not keeping to the right (motorway/main road) | R 301 | €280 |
| Driving in a lane against a red cross: lane signalling (motorway/main road) | R 610 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| No rear light at night outside built-up areas | R 426 b | €190 |
| No rear light at night in built-up areas | R 426 a | €130 |
| No rear light during the day when visibility is reduced | R 426 c | €190 |
| No dipped or main beam at night outside built-up areas | R 421 b | €190 |
| No dipped or main beam at night in built-up areas | R 421 a | €130 |
| No dipped or main beam during the day when visibility is reduced | R 421 c | €190 |
| No illuminated rear licence plate at night etc. | R 428 a | €65 |
| Using main beam when prohibited/during the day etc. | R 425 | €190 |
| Using a rear fog light when this is not allowed | R 436 | €190 |
| Unauthorised use of a blue rotating or flashing light | R 420 | set by the public prosecutor (OM offence) |
| Giving signals in a way that is not allowed | R 419 | €190 |
Fines for speeding
There are clear rules regarding speed in traffic. These rules are there for road safety. By speeding, you can put both yourself and others at risk. That is why there are fines for anyone who speeds. There are both fixed speed cameras and mobile speed checks to detect speeding offences.
| Excess speed (km/h) | Fine in built-up areas | Fine outside built-up areas | Fine on the motorway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | €46 | €42 | €34 |
| 6 | €56 | €50 | €41 |
| 7 | €65 | €59 | €49 |
| 8 | €73 | €68 | €56 |
| 9 | €84 | €79 | €64 |
| 10 | €95 | €89 | €84 |
| 15 | €179 | €172 | €159 |
| 20 | €255 | €243 | €229 |
| 25 | €345 | €326 | €304 |
| 30 | €446 | €424 | €389 |
| 35 | €488 | ||
| 39 | €524 |
Frequently asked questions about traffic fines for cars in the Netherlands
Driving a car is a daily activity for many people. Usually it goes well, but sometimes you may get a fine. It is important to follow the traffic rules and to avoid fines. Do you get a fine anyway? Then you need to know exactly what to do. We help you by answering some of the most common questions about traffic fines for cars in the Netherlands.
How can you see whether you have a fine?
If you have a fine, you will be informed of it by letter. If you are unsure whether the fine is genuine, you can check the fine via the Digital Desk (Digitaal Loket). To do so, you need to log in with your DigiD details.
How much may a trailer be overloaded?
The starting point is that a trailer may not be overloaded. However, no fine is given for a limited excess, because there is some leniency for errors of judgement. From an excess of the axle load of 11% or more, you will get a fine.
Is LED lighting allowed on a car?
Yes, LED lighting is allowed if the type approval was carried out with it. In old light fittings where the type approval was carried out with halogen bulbs, you are in principle not allowed to choose a non-approved LED bulb. This can result in a different light pattern. However, there is no active check on the type of light source. If the light pattern is correct, the lighting will probably simply pass the MOT (APK).
What if your dipped headlights do not work?
Then the police may pull you over and you can get a fine. Sometimes the police will be lenient if you can fix the defect immediately with a spare bulb. The amount of the fine depends on where you are pulled over, namely inside or outside a built-up area. Before you continue on your way, replace the bulb or call roadside assistance (Wegenwacht).
What is the difference between stopping and parking?
Stopping is a situation in which the car is not moving, but is still taking part in traffic. For example, you are stopped at a traffic light or to give way to another car. You can also stop to get into or out of a vehicle or to unload or load goods. If the car does not move for longer than is usual for getting into, getting out of, loading or unloading a vehicle, it counts as parking.
How long do I have to object to a traffic fine?
You can object up to six weeks after the date the letter with the traffic fine was sent. You do this by writing a letter to the public prosecutor.
Is it true that the mandatory following distance is equal to half the speed?
It is indeed a popular rule of thumb that the distance to the vehicle in front should be at least half the speed shown on the speedometer. At a speed of 80 km/h, according to this rule, you should keep a distance of at least 40 metres. However, this rule is not in the law. Above all, you must be able to guarantee that you can bring your vehicle to a stop in time, so you must keep enough distance. By following this rule of thumb, you will in principle keep enough distance and not get a fine.
How much is 1.3 per mille of alcohol?
This corresponds to 0.57 mg/l of exhaled alveolar air. This is established with a breath test, which checks how much alcohol is in the exhaled air. How much alcohol this is depends on what you have drunk, your weight, your physical condition, your sex and so on. Roughly 2 to 5 standard glasses of lager will give a woman a blood alcohol level of 0.5 to 1.5 per mille. Men need 3 to 7 glasses for that.