Dutch Road Signs: Shapes, Colours and Meanings

Road signs make up a big part of the CBR theory exam, and you can often work out what a sign means from its shape and colour alone. This guide gives you the system, so you only have to memorise the exceptions.

Shapes and colours at a glance

Sign type	What it looks like	What it means
Warning	Triangle pointing up, red border, white background	Hazard ahead, such as a bend, children or roadworks
Prohibition	Round, red border, white background	Something is not allowed, or a speed limit applies
Mandatory or permitted	Round, blue background, white symbol	You must or may do something, such as use a cycle path
Information	Blue rectangle	Information or permission, such as a parking area
Priority	Orange diamond with white border	You are on a priority road
Give way	Triangle pointing down, red border	You must give way
Stop	Red octagon	You must stop completely

Warning signs

Red-bordered triangles pointing upwards warn you of hazards ahead. They show a simple symbol, such as a pedestrian crossing, a bend, a slippery road or roadworks. They don’t create a rule themselves, but you’re expected to adjust your speed and be ready to react.

Prohibition signs

Round signs with a red border and a white background forbid something. Common examples:

Speed limit: a number inside the circle
No entry: a red circle with a white horizontal bar
No overtaking: two cars, one red
No vehicles of a certain type: the symbol shows which vehicles are banned

There’s one important exception. Parking and stopping signs are blue circles with a red border:

A single red diagonal line: no parking
A red cross: no stopping or parking

Mandatory and permitted signs

Blue circles with white symbols usually tell you what you must or may do. A blue circle with a bicycle, for example, marks a cycle path that cyclists have to use. Our guide to driving around cyclists explains how that affects drivers.

Priority signs

These are among the most tested signs, so know them well:

Orange diamond: you’re on a priority road.
Orange diamond with a black diagonal bar: the priority road ends, and normal rules apply.
Downward triangle (give way): give way to traffic on the road you join.
Stop sign: stop fully, then give way to everyone.

For how these combine with markings such as shark teeth, read Dutch priority rules explained.

Supplementary panels

White panels with black text or symbols appear below a sign to adjust its meaning. For example, “uitgezonderd” means “except”, followed by the vehicles that are exempt. Read these panels carefully, because they can change a prohibition into a permission.

Speed and area signs

A number in a red circle sets a speed limit.
A town name sign marks the start of a built-up area, and the same sign with a red diagonal line marks the end.
Zone signs such as a 30 km/h zone apply to the whole area until a sign ends the zone. See speed limits by road type for the full list.

How to study signs

Learn the shape and colour categories first.
Group signs by meaning, instead of memorising them one by one.
Practise with images and test yourself regularly.

The exam also includes road markings, so read about those alongside signs. When you’re ready to test your knowledge, try the sign questions on Passing Theory.

Frequently asked questions

What does the orange diamond sign mean in the Netherlands?

It means you are on a priority road. Traffic from side roads must give way to you. The same sign with a black diagonal bar means the priority road ends.

What is the difference between a no parking and a no stopping sign?

Both are blue circles with a red border. A single red diagonal line means you may not park. A red cross means you may not stop or park.

What shape is a stop sign in the Netherlands?

A stop sign is a red octagon with the word STOP. You must come to a complete stop at the line and give way to all traffic.

What colour are Dutch warning signs?

Warning signs are triangles pointing upwards with a red border and a white background, showing a symbol for the hazard ahead.