Road markings in the Netherlands: lines, arrows and sharks' teeth
A solid white line may not be crossed; a broken one may. Hatched areas and chevron points may not be used. In a lane with arrows you go where the arrows point, and you stop at a stop line when you have to stop. Sharks' teeth mean give way. A solid yellow line along the kerb means no stopping, a broken one no parking, and a blue line means parking with a disc.
| Marking | Meaning | RVV 1990 |
|---|---|---|
| Solid white line between lanes | Do not cross it. Between lanes with traffic in both directions, do not be to the left of it | Article 76 |
| Broken white line | You may cross it when it is safe | Article 76 |
| Double line, broken on your side | You may cross it from your side | Article 76 |
| Hatched area or chevron point | Do not drive on it | Article 77 |
| Arrows in a lane before a junction | Go in the direction the arrows show | Article 78 |
| Stop line | Stop before it when you have to stop | Article 79 |
| Sharks' teeth | Give way to drivers on the road you cross or join | Article 80 |
| The word BUS or LIJNBUS | Bus lane: only for buses and trams (LIJNBUS: scheduled buses and trams) | Article 81 |
| Block marking (short, wide dashes) | Separates an acceleration, exit or weaving lane; to its right you may pass traffic to its left on the right | Article 11 |
| Solid yellow line along the kerb | No stopping | Article 23 |
| Broken yellow line along the kerb | No parking | Article 24 |
| Blue line along the kerb (in a disc zone) | Parking only with a parking disc | Article 25 |
When you may cross a solid line
The solid line along the edge of the road is not meant here. And you may cross a solid line to reach or leave a hard shoulder, emergency bay or rush-hour lane next to your lane, or when there is a broken line on your side of a double line (article 76).
Cycle lanes
A strip with bike symbols is a cycle lane. Other drivers may not use one with a solid line; one with a broken line you may only cross when you need to, and you may not stop on it or alongside it: cyclists and bike lanes.
The exam trap: sharks' teeth on the road but no sign. The marking alone already means give way. On roundabouts that decides who goes first: roundabouts in the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cross a solid white line?
No, unless it is the line along the edge of the road, or you cross it to reach or leave a hard shoulder, emergency bay or rush-hour lane, or there is a broken line on your side of a double line.
What do sharks' teeth mean?
White triangles across your lane: you give way to drivers on the road you are crossing or joining.
What do yellow lines mean?
A solid yellow line along the kerb means no stopping; a broken yellow line means no parking.
Can I drive over a hatched area?
No. Hatched areas and the chevron point where lanes split or merge may not be used, except by a rush-hour lane or bus lane that passes through them.
Do I have to follow the arrows on the road?
Yes. In a lane with arrows before a junction you must go in the direction the arrows show, and on an exit lane you follow its arrows.
Sources, checked on 3 November 2026:
Written by Nawfal Serraji, traffic law specialist and founder of HaalTheorie.