Traffic Fines and Road Regulation Changes Affecting Dutch Drivers in 2026

The Netherlands has implemented numerous traffic law and vehicle regulation changes at the start of 2026, affecting everything from penalty amounts to fuel costs and vehicle taxation. These updates have significant implications for driving schools when educating learners about regulatory compliance and ongoing driving costs.

Increased Traffic Fines

Traffic penalties have risen by 3-4% across the board, marking another year of inflation-adjusted increases. Key fines for driving offences now include:

• Mobile phone use whilst driving: €440 (increased from €430)
• Running a red light: €320 (increased from €310)

Whilst these increases appear modest, they continue the trend of escalating penalties designed to discourage dangerous driving behaviours. For learner drivers, understanding these costs reinforces the importance of developing safe habits from the beginning of their driving education.

Zero-Emission Zone Standardisation

A significant development in environmental traffic management introduces standardised signage for zero-emission zones throughout the Netherlands. More importantly, exemptions to zero-emission zone restrictions now carry nationwide validity rather than being municipality-specific.

This standardisation simplifies compliance for drivers who travel between different cities, as exemption permits granted in one location now apply throughout the country. The change reduces administrative complexity whilst maintaining environmental protection goals.

Fuel Tax Increases

Fuel taxation has risen substantially, though at different rates for petrol and diesel:

• Petrol: +1.3 cents per litre
• Diesel: +3.6 cents per litre

The notably higher diesel increase reflects ongoing policy efforts to reduce diesel vehicle usage due to environmental concerns. These changes effective from 1 January 2026 directly impact the operating costs for driving schools running diesel vehicles.

Vehicle Tax Restructuring

Perhaps the most significant change affects vehicle road tax (motorrijtuigenbelasting or MRB) for zero-emission vehicles. Previously enjoying substantial discounts, zero-emission cars now pay 70-75% of standard MRB rates, up from the previous 25-75% range.

This increase narrows the tax advantage for electric vehicles, though they remain less expensive to tax than conventional cars. The change reflects the growing prevalence of electric vehicles and government efforts to maintain road funding as petrol and diesel vehicle numbers decline.

Mid-2026: Introduction of Truck Levy

From mid-2026, a new levy will apply to trucks exceeding 3,500 kg. This road pricing mechanism aims to ensure heavy vehicles contribute proportionally to road infrastructure costs based on their usage and impact.

Whilst primarily affecting commercial transport, the levy represents part of broader efforts to transition from ownership-based taxation toward usage-based charging systems.

Implications for Driving Schools

These regulatory changes create several considerations for driving instruction:

Educational Content

Instructors should incorporate current penalty amounts into theory instruction, ensuring learners understand the financial consequences of traffic violations.

Operating Costs

Fuel tax increases and vehicle tax changes affect the cost of running driving school vehicles. Schools may need to adjust lesson pricing to reflect higher operating expenses.

Environmental Transition

The narrowing tax advantage for zero-emission vehicles, combined with fuel tax increases, continues to encourage fleet electrification, though at a more measured pace than previous years.

Conclusion

The 2026 regulatory changes reflect ongoing policy priorities: discouraging dangerous driving through increased penalties, managing environmental impact through differential fuel taxation, and transitioning toward more balanced vehicle taxation as electric vehicles become mainstream. Driving schools should ensure their educational materials reflect current regulations whilst preparing for continued incremental changes in future years.