Dutch driving terms for the theory exam, explained in English

Last checked: October 19, 2026

TheorieWin is not the CBR and does not book exams. What cbr.nl says always applies.

In the theory exam the exact words count: an autoweg is not a motorway and stilstaan is not parking. Here you find every exam term with what it means, the article of the RVV 1990 where the rule is, and the fixed translation TheorieWin uses in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian.

How to read the list

Translation: the word we always use for the term in the app and on this site.
Also right: other words with the same meaning.
Not to be confused with: another term in this list that looks alike but is something else, like motorway and expressway.
Avoid translating it as: words we do not use for this term, because they mean something else or are used in one country only.
RVV 1990: the article of the Dutch traffic rules and signs regulations (Reglement verkeersregels en verkeerstekens) where the rule is.

The exam in Dutch or in English

The CBR car exam can be taken in Dutch or in English, or in Dutch with an interpreter (how to book). That is why every term also has its English word. The text on the signs always stays in Dutch.

Roads and areas

autosnelweg

motorway

Road with sign G1, only for fast motor vehicles.

Not to be confused with: expressway
Avoid translating it as: highway
RVV 1990: art. 1, 21 a, 42

autoweg

expressway

Road with sign G3, only for motor vehicles. Not a motorway.

Not to be confused with: motorway
Avoid translating it as: highway
RVV 1990: art. 1, 21 a, 42

weg buiten de bebouwde kom

road outside built-up areas

Road outside the built-up area that is neither a motorway nor an expressway.

RVV 1990: art. 21

bebouwde kom

built-up area

The area between signs H1 and H2: the streets of a village or town.

RVV 1990: art. 20

erf

home zone

Area with sign G5 where pedestrians and vehicles share the street.

Avoid translating it as: yard
RVV 1990: art. 1, 44-46

fietspad

cycle path

Path for cyclists beside the carriageway, with sign G11 or G13.

Not to be confused with: cycle lane
RVV 1990: art. 5

fietsstrook

cycle lane

Part of the carriageway, marked with lines and cycle symbols.

Not to be confused with: cycle path
RVV 1990: art. 1, 5

fiets/bromfietspad

cycle/moped path

Path with sign G12a, for cyclists and moped riders.

trottoir

pavement

Raised part beside the carriageway, for pedestrians.

zebrapad

zebra crossing

Crossing with white stripes for pedestrians.

RVV 1990: art. 49

overweg

level crossing

Crossing of a road and a railway.

RVV 1990: art. 1, 15a, 23 lid 1

rotonde

roundabout

Junction with a round central island.

turborotonde

turbo roundabout

Roundabout with several lanes separated by markings or raised kerbs.

Source: ANWB

hectometerbordje

hectometre post

Small sign along the motorway that shows where you are.

Source: Rijkswaterstaat

Lanes

vluchtstrook

hard shoulder

Strip beside the lanes of the motorway or expressway, for emergencies.

Not to be confused with: peak-hour lane
Avoid translating it as: rush-hour lane

spitsstrook

peak-hour lane

Extra lane that opens when traffic is busy.

Not to be confused with: hard shoulder
RVV 1990: art. 1

invoegstrook

acceleration lane

Lane for getting up to speed and merging onto the main carriageway.

uitrijstrook

deceleration lane

Lane for leaving the motorway or expressway and slowing down.

Priority

voorrang verlenen

give way

Letting the other person go first.

voorrangsweg

priority road

Road with sign B1, the yellow diamond.

gelijkwaardig kruispunt

uncontrolled junction

Junction without signs, shark's teeth or traffic lights.

RVV 1990: art. 15

haaientanden

shark's teeth

White triangles on the road that regulate priority.

Avoid translating it as: shark teeth

voorrangsvoertuig

priority vehicle

Ambulance, fire engine or police with blue lights and siren on.

Avoid translating it as: emergency vehicle
RVV 1990: art. 1, 29, 50

verkeersregelaar

traffic controller

An authorised person (not the police) who directs traffic with gestures.

RVV 1990: art. 82, 84

Driving, stopping and parking

stilstaan

stopping (standing still)

Stopping the vehicle for a moment, for example to let someone get in or out or to load. Not parking.

Also right: standing still, stand still, stop
Not to be confused with: parking
RVV 1990: art. 23

parkeren

parking

Leaving a vehicle standing longer than needed to let passengers get in or out or to load or unload.

Also right: park, parked
RVV 1990: art. 1, 24

voorsorteren

get in lane

Choosing the lane for the direction you want to take in good time.

inhalen

overtaking

Going past a vehicle that is driving in front of you.

Avoid translating it as: passing
RVV 1990: art. 11

spookrijder

wrong-way driver

Driver of a motor vehicle who drives against the traffic, mainly on the motorway.

Source: Rijkswaterstaat

bestemmingsverkeer

access only

Sub-plate: only people who need to be in that area may enter.

geslotenverklaring

closed to traffic

Sign from the C series: the road is closed to (a type of) traffic.

Vehicles

personenauto

car

Car for carrying people (licence B).

vrachtauto

lorry

Motor vehicle for goods, heavier than a van.

Not to be confused with: van
RVV 1990: art. 1, 22 a

bestelauto

van

Lighter motor vehicle for goods, for which licence B is enough.

Not to be confused with: lorry
Avoid translating it as: truck
RVV 1990: art. 1

toegestane maximummassa

maximum authorised mass

The highest weight the vehicle may have with its load, according to its registration certificate.

Avoid translating it as: empty weight, unladen weight
RVV 1990: art. 1, 22 e

aanhangwagen

trailer

Vehicle moved by another vehicle (a semi-trailer is one too).

RVV 1990: art. 1, 22 e-f

oplegger

semi-trailer

Trailer that rests partly on the vehicle pulling it.

caravan

Trailer for camping.

RVV 1990: art. 22 e

bromfiets

moped

Motorised vehicle with a yellow number plate, usually two-wheeled. The microcar and the speed pedelec are mopeds too.

Not to be confused with: motorcycle
Avoid translating it as: motorbike
RVV 1990: art. 20 b, 21 b

snorfiets

light moped

Slow moped with a blue number plate.

Avoid translating it as: e-bike
RVV 1990: art. 1, 22 d

speed-pedelec

speed pedelec

Fast electric bicycle with pedal assistance; it counts as a moped.

brommobiel

microcar

Moped on more than two wheels with a body, like a small car.

RVV 1990: art. 1, 22 c

motorrijtuig met beperkte snelheid (mmbs)

low-speed motor vehicle

Motor vehicle built to drive slowly.

RVV 1990: art. 22a

motor (motorfiets)

motorcycle

Motorcycle, for which you need licence A.

Not to be confused with: moped

tram

Rail vehicle that runs on the road.

trein

train

Train at a level crossing.

Lights

dimlicht

dipped beam

The normal headlights for the dark, which do not dazzle oncoming traffic.

Also right: low beam
Not to be confused with: sidelights
RVV 1990: art. 32

grootlicht

main beam

Lights that shine far ahead.

Also right: high beam
RVV 1990: art. 32

stadslicht

sidelights

Weak lights at the front and rear.

Not to be confused with: dipped beam

mistlicht

front fog lights

Extra lamps at the front, for fog.

RVV 1990: art. 34

mistachterlicht

rear fog light

Bright red light at the rear, for thick fog.

RVV 1990: art. 34

dagrijlicht

daytime running lights

Lights that come on automatically during the day.

RVV 1990: art. 32

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an autosnelweg and an autoweg?

They are two different types of road, each with its own sign: the motorway (autosnelweg, sign G1) and the expressway (autoweg, sign G3). Both are only for motor vehicles, but with different rules. You practise those rules with a pass.

Is stilstaan the same as parking?

No. Stopping (stilstaan) is a short stop, for example to let someone get in or out or to load. Parking is staying longer than that needs.

What is an erf?

An area with sign G5 where pedestrians and vehicles share the street. You practise what is and is not allowed there with a pass.

Sources

wetten.overheid.nl RVV 1990
cbr.nl onderwerpen in het theorie examen
cbr.nl welk theorie examen past bij jou

Practise the terms in real exam-style questions, with explanations.

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