May I drive...
Driving a car is one of the most useful skills in the world. It gives us the freedom to get in the car and drive anywhere. For example, for a quick errand, a long road trip or a family visit. If you are just starting driving lessons, you will learn all about the rules and regulations involved in driving. Still, there may be situations where you are not sure if you are (still) allowed to drive. This is important for you to know because it also affects your car insurance. If you get into the car when you should not and subsequently cause damage, the insurance company may not pay out anything. Therefore, we have listed the most common questions for you below.
Can I drive with alcohol?
Alcohol affects your ability to react, making it dangerous to be behind the wheel with alcohol on. There is a limit to the amount of alcohol you may drive. A distinction is made between novice drivers (drivers who have had their license for less than 5 years) and experienced drivers. For a novice driver, the limit is 0.2 promille. For men this is equivalent to about 1 glass, for women half a glass. For experienced drivers, the limit is 0.5 promille. For men this is equivalent to about 2 glasses, for women it is about 1.5 glasses.
Can I drive with a cast?
Do you have a wrist, arm or leg in a cast? Annoying!!! Especially when daily life goes on as usual and you have to drive a car. But is this even possible? It is not against the law to drive with a plaster cast. Of course, you can ask your doctor for advice. Usually doctors advise against driving with a plaster cast. Even if your doctor indicates that you may drive, this is only advice and you must decide for yourself whether this is wise.
Your auto insurer may have excluded driving with a cast from coverage. You can find this in the policy conditions of your car insurance. If you do get in the car and cause damage due to the plaster cast, the insurer will pay out to the other party but may then recover the damages from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
May I drive with a trailer?
Whether you are allowed to drive with a trailer depends on the type of license you have. Which license you need to drive with your trailer, in turn, depends on the maximum permitted mass. This is the empty weight plus the maximum payload. If you have driving license B, you may tow a trailer of: maximum 750 kilos OR more than 750 kilos, provided the combined weight of the trailer and car does not exceed 3,500. With driving license BE, you may tow a trailer of: maximum 3,500 kilos OR more than 3,500 kilos, but only under certain conditions.
Can I drive with a caravan?
The same rules actually apply to a caravan as to a trailer. Driving license B is sufficient, provided the empty weight + payload is a maximum of 750 kilos. In most cases a caravan is not heavier than 750 kilos, so if you are in possession of driving license B I may drive a caravan.
Can I drive to Germany?
Normally, you may simply drive your car to Germany. However, due to the corona virus, other advisories are currently in effect. For the current travel advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, please check the website of the Central Government.
Can I drive in America?
Are you going to America on vacation and planning to rent a car? Then it is important that you have the correct driving license. A Dutch driver's license allows you to drive in all EU countries, but outside the EU you may need an international driver's license. America is of course a continent, with many different countries. In the United States, for example, a Dutch driver's license is valid, even when renting a car. However, many rental companies often ask for an international driver's license. Therefore, it is recommended to bring this anyway. It is wise to always check in advance the rules concerning driving licenses in the country of destination. For example, there are often different rules about the required driving license for a motorhome.
Are you going to another country in America? The ANWB has listed all the rules for you.
Will I be allowed to drive if I pass?
Once you have passed, you naturally want to drive a car as soon as possible. However, you must first apply for a driver's license before you can actually get in the car. If you get into the car without a physical driver's license, you risk a hefty fine.
Can I drive again already?
When you may resume driving after drinking alcohol depends on several factors. Your liver takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to break down a glass of alcohol. Keep in mind that not every body is the same. If you generally don't drink alcohol often or little, it may take longer for the alcohol to break down in your body. The type of alcohol you drank also plays a role. Strong liquor naturally contains more alcohol than a glass of beer.
Can I drive without an MOT?
No, if your car is not MOT approved, you may not drive the car. Six weeks before the APK obligation expires, you will be informed of the expiration date. The RDW sends you a letter with the exact date when your APK expires. With a letter, the RDW tries to encourage people to make an appointment for an MOT inspection on time. You can also view the expiration date online on the RDW website. 'I did not receive a letter' is therefore not a valid excuse for letting your MOT expire. If the RDW discovers that your MOT has expired, you will receive a fine. In 2021, the fine for an expired MOT is €150. To this is also added €9 in administrative costs. So in total you will lose €159,- if you don't get your car MOTed on time.
My car has been rejected (MOT). May I still drive it?
That depends on whether the expiration date of your MOT has already expired or not. If the expiration date has not yet expired, you may still drive the car, but you must judge for yourself whether it is wise or not. If the car has been rejected because of a technical defect, it may not be wise to drive the car. Moreover, you may well be fined by the police for the technical defect.
If the expiration date has already passed, you are not allowed to drive the car. You will then be fined by the police for failing to meet the MOT requirement. You may also receive a fine for the technical defect that caused the car to be rejected.
Can I drive a suspended car?
No, when your car is suspended, you can no longer drive it. If you do take your car onto public roads and you are checked, you will receive a hefty fine. Moreover, a suspended car must always be parked on private property, such as in a locked garage. A public parking garage is still public road.
Can I drive without a license plate?
When driving your car, you should always have the license plate with you. Do the police ask for your registration certificate and you cannot show it? Then you will be fined €45. If you recently had the license plate transferred to your name, but have not yet received the license plate card, you may drive without a license plate until 14 days after the transfer.
May I drive without a license plate?
No, a car must always have license plates. If you drive a car without license plates, you risk a fine of €140. Also, if the license plate is damaged or difficult to read, it must be replaced. Also, you are not allowed to drive on the road with only one good license plate. Both front and rear license plates must be present.
Can I drive with an expired driver's license?
Normally, you are not allowed to drive with an expired driver's license. However, different rules currently apply because of the corona crisis. For certain groups, the expired driver's license will be renewed.
- Did your driver's license expire in the period from Feb. 1 to June 1, 2020? Then your driver's license will remain valid until July 1, 2021.
- Did your driver's license expire during the period from June 1 to Sept. 1, 2020? Then your driver's license will remain valid for an additional 13 months.
- Did your driver's license expire or expire in the period from Sept. 1, 2020 to July 1, 2021? Then your driver's license will remain valid for an additional 10 months
Can I drive without a license?
Driving without a license is not allowed; this is an offense. It is not considered a serious criminal offense, but the penalties imposed are relatively high, especially if it is not the first time. If you are caught for driving without a license, you will receive a police report.
Do you have your driver's license but do not have it with you and are stopped by the police? Then you will be fined.
Can I drive if I just applied for my license?
Once you have passed, you can apply for your driver's license at the municipality where you are registered. Of course, you want to get on the road as soon as possible once you have passed, but unfortunately, you have to wait until you are actually in possession of the driver's license.
What am I allowed to drive with driver's license B?
Driving license B allows you to drive more than just a passenger car. You may drive the following vehicles:
An important point here, however, is the weight of the vehicle. So you may drive a campervan with driving license B, but the campervan may have a maximum weight of up to 3500 kilos. With a quad, it again depends on what type of quad you have.
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