Motorway & clearway

Motorway

Indicated with the sign Motorway.
Traffic going in different directions is always separated. In other words, there are no oncoming cars.
No intersecting traffic on the same level. (Traffic is diverted through bridges and similar solutions.)
Both exit and entry ramps belong to the motorway, which means that the same rules apply to them.
Always stay in the right lane, except when overtaking.

Motorway entry ramps

A typical motorway. The carriageways are separate and there is a proper exit ramp.

If there is an acceleration lane, neither those in the acceleration nor those on the motorway have priority. Mutual consideration and adaptation apply.
If there is no acceleration lane, those entering have an obligation to give way to traffic on the motorway.
Leave the entry ramp as soon as you can. Remember to check your blind spot.

On the motorway, it is forbidden to

Stop and park.
Turn around (you may not use the turning areas and central barrier openings, which are intended for rescue vehicles and road workers).
Reverse
Walk
Cycle
Hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers
Drive a moped
Use the hard shoulder other than in an emergency.
Tow
- Exception: If your car stalls on the motorway you are permitted to tow it on the hard shoulder, but only until the next exit.
Drive a vehicle that is not designed to drive at a speed of at least 40 km/h.
- Exception: It is forbidden to drive an EU moped on the motorway, even though they are allowed to go up to 45 km/h.
Drive a tractor or heavy equipment
- Exception: You are permitted to drive a piece of class I heavy equipment if it is set up as a mobile crane.

Motorway exit

The following signage is used for motorway exits:

First comes at least one preparatory direction and exit sign. The shape of the arrow shows you that there is a stretch of road left before you need to turn. This sign specifies the distance to the exit.

Following the preparatory signs comes the actual direction and exit sign. The shape of the arrow shows you that the turn is coming up.

Right where the exit departs from the motorway, there is an exit plate.

Risks associated with the motorway

Motorways are generally safe to drive on. However, there are a few risks that you should pay particular attention to:

Velocitization after exit.
Multiple collisions due to insufficient distance.
Monotonous driving can lead to a single-vehicle accident.
The risk of aquaplaning increases with the speed.

Notice the white car. Nobody has priority. Mutual consideration and adaptation apply.

You are not allowed to stop at the red arrow, even though it looks appropriate.

Clearway

Indicated with the sign Clearway.
Same level of safety and same rules as on a motorway, except:
- Traffic is not always separated into different carriageways. There is thus a possibility of oncoming traffic.
- There are no acceleration lanes and exits may be shorter than on motorways.
- It is not forbidden to use the hard shoulder.

As the safety requirements are not as strict on clearways, they have more frequent accidents than the motorways.

2+1 road that prevents head-on collisions.

However, many clearways have been fitted with cable barriers, making them into so called 2+1 roads. These are very effective in preventing head-on collisions.

Velocitization

When you slow down after driving fast over a longer period of time, it will probably seem to you that you are driving slower than you actually are. This phenomenon is called velocitization and can result in you misjudging distances and your stopping distance.

The risk of velocitization increases with

Wide roads without any distractions.
Quiet and comfortable cars.
Driving fast for a long time.

Heavy lorries

Heavy lorries may drive at a maximum 90 km/h on motorways and clearways. On other types of road, the maximum speed for heavy lorries is 80 km/h.

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Last updated 2022-02-25.