Erf (home zone) in the Netherlands: 15 km/h and the other rules
An erf, also called woonerf, is a residential area marked with sign G5. Three rules apply at once: you drive 15 km/h at most, pedestrians may use the whole width of the road, and you may only park in marked spaces. Sign G6 marks the end. On the English CBR exam the word 'erf' stays in Dutch, so learn to recognise it.
Signs G5 and G6
Sign G5 is a blue rectangular sign with a picture of houses, people and a car. From that sign the erf rules apply. Sign G6, the same picture with a red line through it, marks the end of the erf. Do not confuse them with G7, the sign for a footpath, which shows only a pedestrian.
The three erf rules
| Rule | What it means | RVV 1990 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 km/h at most | Slower when there is little room or children are playing. You must always be able to stop in time. | Article 45 |
| Pedestrians on the whole road | Pedestrians may walk and children may play across the full width of the road, not only on a pavement. | Article 44 |
| Parking only in marked spaces | Drivers of motor vehicles may only park where a space is marked or indicated as a parking space. | Article 46 |
Inside the erf the other traffic rules still apply, such as traffic from the right going first at a junction. The difference is that you share the road with pedestrians everywhere, so you adjust your speed and position to them.
Erf, 30 km/h zone or built-up area?
| Erf (G5) | 30 km/h zone | Built-up area | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 15 km/h | 30 km/h | 50 km/h unless signs say otherwise |
| Pedestrians on the road | Yes, across the full width | No, on the pavement | No, on the pavement |
| Parking | Only in marked spaces | Normal rules | Normal rules |
More on speed limits: speed limits in the Netherlands.
Why 'erf' stays Dutch on the English exam
The CBR leaves a handful of terms untranslated on the English exam because they are defined in Dutch law, and 'erf' is one of them. If a question talks about an erf, it means exactly the area between signs G5 and G6 with these three rules. More about the English exam: CBR theory exam in English.
The exam trap: a quiet street with a 30 sign is not an erf. Only sign G5 makes it an erf, with 15 km/h, pedestrians on the whole road and parking only in marked spaces.
Frequently asked questions
What is an erf in the Netherlands?
A residential area designed for living rather than through traffic, marked with sign G5. Pedestrians may use the full width of the road, the speed limit is 15 km/h and you may only park in marked spaces. The word 'erf' stays in Dutch on the English CBR exam.
How fast can you drive in an erf?
15 km/h at most (article 45 of the RVV 1990). If there is less room, or children playing, you go slower.
Can I park anywhere in an erf?
No. Drivers of motor vehicles may only park in spaces marked as parking spaces, for example with a P on the road or a sign. Not along the kerb where there is no marking.
Do the normal priority rules apply in an erf?
Yes. Inside the erf the normal rules apply, such as traffic from the right goes first at a junction. Pedestrians may walk anywhere on the road, and you adjust your driving to them.
What changes at sign G6?
G6 marks the end of the erf. From there the normal rules apply again: the speed limit of that road, pedestrians on the pavement and normal parking rules.
Sources, checked on 3 November 2026:
Written by Nawfal Serraji, traffic law specialist and founder of HaalTheorie.