Netherlands Scooter Regulations
Find out all you need to know about Netherlands scooter regulations including different licensing and driving rules that apply depending on max speed of vehicle.
SCOOTERS vs MOPEDS
Generally speaking, a scooter is differentiated from a moped by the way it is driven. With a scooter, the legs of the driver are together while a moped is driven with legs apart, straddling both side of the vehicle frame.
NETHERLANDS SCOOTER REGULATIONS
In the Netherlands, a ‘scooter’ and a ‘moped’ are the same when it comes to vehicle category, driving rules and ownership requirements.
Since this information article is for internationals, we will use the more common term scooter rather than moped, since the rules are the same for both in the Netherlands.
DRIVING GUIDELINES
Scooters that travel at a maximum speed of 25 kph (referred to as ‘snorfiets‘) can be driven on bicycle paths and dedicated bike lanes in Netherlands with the exception of Amsterdam and Utrecht. In both cities, all scooters must be driven in the street.
Scooters with a maximum speed of 45 kph (referred to as ‘bromfiets‘ or ‘brommers‘) must be driven in the street, not on bicycle paths or dedicated bike lanes.
Scooters are not allowed on motorways (‘autosnelweg‘) or expressways (‘autoweg‘), as the minimum speeds on these roads are 60 kph and 50 kph respectively.
It is illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving a scooter in Netherlands.
HELMET REQUIREMENTS
As of 01 January 2023, a helmet must be worn when riding a scooter in Netherlands as either a driver or a passenger. This applies to both brommers and snorfiets. The fine for not wearing a helmet is €100.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Anyone who operates a motorized scooter in the Netherlands must be in possession of a valid driving license…
The minimum Dutch license (or international equivalent) required to drive a scooter is the Class AM license (‘rijbewijs’). It allows the holder to legally operate certain vehicles – scooter, moped, speed pedelic (i.e. electric bike with max speed of 45kph) or microcar. The minimum age to apply for a Class AM license is 16 years.
A driver who has a Dutch license (or international equivalent) to operate a motorcycle (class A), car (class B), truck (class C) or bus (class D) is automatically allowed to drive a scooter and does not need an additional license.
REGISTRATION & INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Owning and operating a scooter in the Netherlands requires it to be registered with the Dutch department of motor vehicles (RDW) and to be insured for third-party liability with a Dutch insurer.
The registration process will vary depending on whether the scooter is being purchased brand new from a dealer, pre-owned from an individual or if you are importing a scooter from another country (within or outside the EU). The process for each of these scenarios is detailed on the RDW website.
A scooter’s registration includes relevant information about the model, the unique vehicle identification number and the license plate number assigned to the vehicle.
The Dutch scooter license plate for vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 kph (snorfiets) are blue square with white outline and lettering.
The license plates for scooters with a maximum speed of 45 kph (bromfiets) are yellow square with black lettering and outline.
To register a scooter in the Netherlands, you must take out an insurance policy with a Dutch insurance company. The company adds the insurance policy details for the vehicle to the RDW database. The law requires all scooters operating in the Netherlands to be insured for third-party liability.
Dutch scooter insurance policies (for snorfiets, bromfiets/brommer) are offered by:
SCOOTER RENTAL & SHARING IN HOLLAND
A foreign driver’s license (Class B equivalent) is generally accepted for visitors wanting to rent a scooter while on holiday in the Netherlands. Mandatory third-party liability insurance is typically included in the rental cost with additional coverage optional.
Shared scooter mobility companies operate in many larger Dutch cities. Once you have registered with a company, you can use its smartphone app to locate the nearest available vehicle, create the reservation, start and stop the engine, end the journey and have the cost of the trip deducted from your bank account.
Scooter-sharing companies in Netherlands include Felyx (active in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague), GO Sharing (available in Breda, Delft, Den Bosch, Eindhoven, Haarlem, Hilversum, Rotterdam, The Hague, Tilburg and others) and Check. (available in Amsterdam, Breda, Groningen, Rotterdam and The Hague).
ELECTRIC STEP SCOOTERS IN NETHERLANDS
Electric kick scooters or e-step scooters (such as the Ninebot KickScooter F2 and InMotion S1 E-step), which are completely different than the scooters/mopeds discussed above, are banned from all roadways and cycle paths in Netherlands. Riding one can result in a fine and/or confiscation of the vehicle.
These items are categorized as LEVs(Light Electric Vehicles), for which there is no standardized national framework. Until such framework exists, the Dutch Safety Board (OvV) deems them dangerous and thus cannot be used in any public space in the Netherlands.
Government agencies are in the process of developing the framework that will apply to LEVs and is expected to be introduced in early 2024. Elements will include vehicle registration, insurance requirements, minimum age to use and rider training.
Find up-to-date information on LEVs in Netherlands here.
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