Seat belts and child seats in the Netherlands: the rules
In a car or van, the driver and every passenger wear a seat belt. Passengers under 18 who are shorter than 1.35 metres sit in a suitable, approved child seat. A rear-facing child seat may not go on a seat with an active front airbag. You may not carry more passengers than there are seat belts, and nobody may travel in the load space or in a trailer.
Seat belts
Drivers and passengers of a car, van, closed three-wheeler or microcar use the seat belt available to them (article 59). Where the seats have seat belts, you may not carry more passengers than there are belts.
Child seats
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Under 18 and shorter than 1.35 m | A suitable, approved child restraint |
| 1.35 m or taller | The normal seat belt |
| Rear-facing child seat in the front | Only if the front airbag is switched off |
| Car without seat belts or child seats | No children under 3; children of 3 to 18 under 1.35 m not in the front |
| Three child seats do not fit in the back | A third child of 3 or older under 1.35 m may use the seat belt in the back |
| Occasionally, over a short distance | Children of 3 or older under 1.35 m may use the seat belt in the back, but not when a parent drives or owns the car |
Sources: articles 59 and 59b of the RVV 1990. In taxis the child seat rules apply differently.
No passengers in a load space or trailer
Carrying people in the open or closed load space of a motor vehicle or moped, or in or on a trailer, is forbidden (article 61b). The exceptions include ambulances, emergency services and permitted events.
The exam trap: a rear-facing baby seat on the front passenger seat. Only allowed when the front airbag is switched off.
Frequently asked questions
When does a child need a car seat in the Netherlands?
Passengers under 18 who are shorter than 1.35 metres use a suitable, approved child restraint. From 1.35 metres they use the normal seat belt.
Can a child sit in the front seat?
Yes, in a suitable child seat. A rear-facing child seat may not be used on a seat with a front airbag unless the airbag is switched off.
Must everyone wear a seat belt?
Yes. The driver and all passengers of a car or van use the seat belt available to them, and you may not carry more passengers than there are seat belts.
Are there exceptions for taxis?
Yes. The rules about child seats do not apply in taxis in the same way; in a taxi without child seats, children under 3 may not travel in the front.
Can passengers travel in the back of a van or in a trailer?
No. Carrying people in the load space of a motor vehicle or in or on a trailer is forbidden, with a few exceptions such as ambulances.
Sources, checked on 3 November 2026:
Written by Nawfal Serraji, traffic law specialist and founder of HaalTheorie.