The OB-411 'Rule Applies Over the Next … m' road sign, often seen on Dutch roads, clarifies the exact length for which a particular traffic regulation is valid. This supplementary plate is crucial for understanding the scope of restrictions, such as speed limits or parking prohibitions, indicating precisely when the rule will end unless a subsequent sign indicates otherwise. Always adhere to the stated rule only for the specified distance and be aware of how to navigate your driving behaviour accordingly.
Learn the key details of the OB-411 - Rule Applies Over the Next … m road sign, including its function, what it communicates to drivers, and how it applies in real traffic situations in the Netherlands. Use this overview to understand the sign clearly and recognise it confidently during the Dutch driving theory exam.
The over next distance plate is a supplementary panel that defines how long the main sign remains in force along the road ahead. It is frequently used for no stopping zones, speed limits, overtaking bans or road work sections where the rule should apply only for a limited stretch. Drivers must keep track of their position, respect the rule throughout the marked length, and then return to normal rules afterward.
This plate shows that the rule on the main sign is valid only over the next stated distance, for example the next 300 m or next 5 km. Within that stretch you must follow the restriction or obligation exactly as shown. Once you pass the indicated distance, the special rule normally ends and the general traffic rules or the next applicable sign take over.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the OB-411 - Rule Applies Over the Next … m road sign. Learn how the sign works, what rules it represents, and how it affects real driving situations. This FAQ strengthens your understanding and supports accurate decision making for the Dutch driving theory exam in the Netherlands.
The OB-411 sign, when placed below another traffic sign, specifies the distance in meters (m) over which that primary sign's rule is applicable. For example, if it's under a speed limit sign, that speed limit applies only for the number of meters indicated.
You must follow the rule indicated by the primary sign (e.g., speed limit, no stopping) only for the distance shown on the OB-411 plate. Once you have travelled that distance, the rule ceases to apply, and you can resume normal driving behaviour, unless another sign extends the restriction.
A common mistake is assuming a rule continues indefinitely or forgetting the stated distance. Learners might also not notice subsequent signs that extend the rule, or they might incorrectly assume the rule ends immediately at the distance without considering the road layout or other potential signs. Always look ahead for signs indicating the end or continuation of a rule.
Yes, the rule can be extended. If the restriction needs to continue beyond the initial distance, you will typically see another OB-411 sign indicating the remaining length, or a sign that clearly states the rule continues. It's important to stay alert for these follow-up signs.
If the main sign indicates a prohibition, like 'no stopping', and the OB-411 sign clarifies it's for the next 300 meters, you must not stop within those 300 meters. If you need to stop for an emergency or a permitted reason before reaching the 300m mark, you must still adhere to that prohibition.
A clear reference image of the OB-411 - Rule Applies Over the Next … m road sign used in the Netherlands.

The OB-411 - Rule Applies Over the Next … m road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The OB-411 - Rule Applies Over the Next … m road sign is part of the Supplementary Plates (OB) category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.