Signals by authorised persons

Authorised and identifiable officials may give instructions, military personnel of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (if not included among the officials referred to in subsection a), and traffic controllers.
If an instruction is given by one of these persons, this instruction takes precedence over traffic regulations and traffic signs.
If the traffic light is green for you and a police officer indicates that you must stop, you are obligated to do so.

Article 82

• • 1. Road users are obligated to follow instructions given verbally or through gestures by:
    • a. authorised and identifiable officials,
    • b. military personnel of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (if not included among the officials referred to in subsection a),
    • c. authorised and identifiable traffic controllers, and
    • d. Persons acting during practical lessons or the practical examination as part of a traffic controller training course or a traffic controller course, for the duration of these practical lessons or this practical examination, and insofar as the clothing prescribed for traffic controllers by ministerial regulation is used.
  • 2. When giving instructions using gestures, the instructions specified in Appendix II are provided, as far as possible.
  • 3. Drivers are also required to obey the instructions to stop specified in Appendix II, Section 8, given by authorised and recognisable traffic wardens.
  • 4. Road users are also required to stop if they are shown a stop sign according to model F10 of Appendix 1, a red flag, or a red light by a driver of a rail vehicle.

  Article 82a

  Road users are also required to follow the instructions given by illuminated transparencies on passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles used by the services referred to in Article 41a, paragraph 1, subparagraph a, points 1 and 4, and on commercial vehicles of transport escorts.

  Article 83

  Road users are also required to stop if they are shown a stop sign consisting of a red light or an illuminated transparency affixed to a police vehicle or a vehicle belonging to road inspectors employed by Rijkswaterstaat, in which the words “stop” or “stop police” are illuminated in red letters against a dark background.

  There are seven different standard instructions, which you can see at the top of this page. Please understand that a police officer cannot control traffic by adhering solely to these instructions, but they will use hand and arm gestures to make their wishes clear.

  Traffic wardens, recognisable by their orange jackets and stop signs, may also give you a stop sign by holding up the stop sign. Children coming home from school can then cross safely.
  Traffic wardens direct traffic at a fixed location, such as a school.

  Traffic controllers direct traffic, ensuring the safety of road users. A traffic controller can be deployed in multiple locations.

  You can also receive instructions using an illuminated sign on the roof of a police car, for example.
  It might say “STOP POLICE” or “POLICE-FOLLOW.”
  You must also follow these instructions. These officers also have the authority to provide you with additional instructions. These might include traffic checks, breathalyser tests, or showing your driver’s license and vehicle registration documents.

  Below are the instructions as we know them in the Netherlands and the associated tips and tricks. Almost every theory exam includes a question about these instructions. Make sure you always answer them correctly at the CBR (Central Office for Motor Vehicle Driver Testing).

   

General stop signal

The first signal is the general stop signal. You’re approaching and see the traffic controller’s palm. This means the traffic light ahead is red.
You’re not allowed to turn left or right when the traffic light is red. Right? Then you’re not allowed to do that now either! So, if you see the palm, you must stop!
Road users approaching the traffic controller from the left, right, or behind won’t see the palm. These road users are therefore allowed to proceed.

Stop signal for traffic approaching the traffic controller from the front

If you were to drive straight ahead, you would touch the traffic controller’s arm. This is, of course, not allowed. The traffic light is red for you. You are also not allowed to turn right or left.

Traffic approaching the traffic controller from the left, right, or behind may proceed.

Stop signal for traffic approaching the traffic controller from behind

If you were driving straight ahead, you would NOT touch the traffic controller’s arm. The traffic light is green for you. You are also permitted to turn right or left.

Traffic approaching the traffic controller from the left or right may proceed.

Traffic approaching the traffic controller from behind must stop. This traffic is also not permitted to turn right or left.

Stop signal for traffic approaching the traffic controller both from the front and behind

Traffic approaching the traffic controller from behind or in front would touch the controller’s arm if they continued driving. This is not permitted. Stop! This traffic is also not allowed to turn right or left.

Traffic approaching the traffic controller from the left or right may proceed.

Stop signal for traffic approaching the traffic controller from the right

Traffic approaching the traffic controller from the right and proceeding would touch the controller’s arm. Therefore, this traffic must stop and may not turn right or left.

Traffic approaching the traffic controller from the left, in front of, or behind may proceed.

Note that the law does not require traffic coming from the LEFT to stop! The traffic controller must turn around to stop this traffic.

Stop signal for traffic in free-moving lanes. Traffic in other lanes is to proceed with caution. Clear the junction

Great text: “Free Moving Lanes.” What does that mean? Quite simple: it’s a stop sign for traffic approaching the traffic controller from the left or right.

Traffic approaching the traffic controller from the front or behind may proceed.

Signal to reduce speed

The meaning is logic. Are you allowed to continue driving at the speed you were driving? No. Are you allowed to increase your speed? No.

Stop signal given by a lollipop lady using the sign F 10

The lollipop lady says your traffic light is red.
You’re not allowed to turn left or right when the light is red. Right? Then you’re not allowed to do that now either! So if you see the stop sign, you must stop!
Road users approaching the traffic controller from the left, right, or behind won’t see the sign the lollipop lady is showing. These road users are therefore allowed to proceed. You’ll mainly find these lollipop ladies near schools.