Autosnelweg vs autoweg: the rules every theory-B student must know

On the theory exam you will see questions where the only clue is a blue sign at the side of the road. Is it an autosnelweg (motorway) or an autoweg (expressway)? The rules are close, but not identical. Here is what the law (RVV 1990) actually says.

1. Recognise the signs

• G1 = autosnelweg (blue sign with a motorway under a bridge). G2 = end of the autosnelweg.
• G3 = autoweg (blue sign with a white car seen from the front). G4 = end of the autoweg.
• Car parks, petrol stations and bus stops along these roads are not part of the autosnelweg or autoweg (RVV art. 1).

2. Who may drive there?

• Autosnelweg: only drivers of a motor vehicle that can and may drive at least 60 km/h (RVV art. 42).
• Autoweg: only drivers of a motor vehicle that can and may drive at least 50 km/h (RVV art. 42).
• So pedestrians, cyclists, the bromfiets (max 45 km/h), the snorfiets (max 25 km/h) and the brommobiel (max 45 km/h) are not allowed on either road.

3. Speed limits

• Autosnelweg: 130 km/h by law (RVV art. 21). But on most motorways the limit between 06:00 and 19:00 is 100 km/h, shown on signs. A few stretches allow 130 during the day too, and in the evening and night it is 100, 120 or 130 depending on the signs.
• Autoweg: 100 km/h (RVV art. 21), unless signs show a different limit.
• Car with a trailer (trailer max 3,500 kg): 90 km/h, also on the motorway (RVV art. 22). Lorries: 80 km/h.
• Do the matrix signs above the road show a lower speed than the signs at the side? Then the lower speed on the matrix signs applies.

4. Joining: the invoegstrook

• You join via the invoegstrook (acceleration lane, separated by block markings). Moving from the invoegstrook onto the main carriageway is a special manoeuvre: you must let the traffic on the main carriageway go first (RVV art. 54).
• Use the invoegstrook to build up speed, check your mirror and blind spot, indicate, and merge into a gap.

5. What is forbidden?

• No turning and no reversing on an autosnelweg or autoweg (RVV art. 43).
• No stopping on the carriageway (RVV art. 43).
• The vluchtstrook (hard shoulder), vluchthaven (emergency lay-by) and verge are for emergencies only (RVV art. 43).

6. Lanes: keep right, and the 7-metre rule

• Keep as far right as possible (RVV art. 3) and overtake on the left (RVV art. 11).
• On an autosnelweg with 3 or more lanes, lorries and combinations longer than 7 metres (for example a car with a caravan) may only use the two rightmost lanes. The only exception: when they have to voorsorteren (get in lane for an exit or a split) (RVV art. 43). A car with trailer of 7 metres or less may use every lane.

7. Spitsstrook and the red cross

• A spitsstrook (peak-hour lane) is a hard shoulder that is opened as a driving lane. Sign C23-01 shows it is open; C23-02 means clear the spitsstrook; C23-03 is the end of the spitsstrook (RVV art. 1 and annex 1). When it is closed, it is a normal hard shoulder again: emergencies only. On some roads a lower speed (80 km/h) applies when the spitsstrook is open.
• A red cross above a lane means the lane is closed. Never drive in that lane: there is always a reason, such as a breakdown, an accident or road inspectors at work.

Tip from The Bro School

In the exam, look at the sign first: G1 or G3? Then ask yourself three questions: may this vehicle be here (60 or 50 km/h)? What is the speed limit right now? And which lane is it allowed to use? Practise these situations with full mock exams in our theory packages, and read the explanation of every question you get wrong.

Sources: RVV 1990, arts. 1, 3, 11, 21, 22, 42, 43, 54 and annex 1; Rijksoverheid: speed limit on the motorway; Rijkswaterstaat: speed limits; Rijkswaterstaat: red crosses