The C12 sign, meaning 'Closed to All Motor Vehicles', is a clear prohibition sign indicating that no motor-powered vehicles are allowed to enter the area or road ahead. This sign is often used to protect quiet zones, residential areas, or routes intended for cyclists and pedestrians, ensuring a safer and more pleasant environment for active travel. As a driver, you must not enter with any car, van, truck, or motorcycle, and should instead follow any signed alternative routes. Always be aware of potential delivery access times, which may be indicated on supplementary plates.
Learn the key details of the C12 - Closed to All Motor Vehicles 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 C12 sign is a white circle with a red border and symbols of a car and motorcycle, meaning closed to all motor vehicles. It creates an area where engine powered road traffic is not permitted in order to improve safety, reduce noise, or protect air quality. Only non motorised traffic, such as pedestrians and cyclists, may enter unless extra plates grant specific exemptions for residents, permit holders, or timed delivery windows.
This sign tells you that no motor vehicles may enter the road or area beyond the sign. The ban covers cars, delivery vans, trucks, buses, tractors, and motorcycles, regardless of fuel type. It is often used to protect residential streets, low traffic neighbourhoods, or environmental zones, so you must continue your journey by bicycle or on foot where allowed, or follow a ring road or bypass route instead.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the C12 - Closed to All Motor Vehicles 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 C12 sign is a prohibition sign that means no motor vehicles are allowed to enter the road or area. This includes cars, vans, trucks, buses, and motorcycles. It's put in place to maintain peace and safety for non-motorized road users like cyclists and pedestrians.
No, mopeds are considered motor vehicles. Therefore, the C12 sign prohibits entry for mopeds just as it does for cars and motorcycles. If you are on a moped, you must not proceed past this sign and should look for an alternative route.
Generally, the C12 sign is a strict prohibition. However, sometimes supplementary signs might indicate specific time windows during which certain vehicles, like delivery vans, are allowed access. Always check for additional plates below the C12 sign for any such exceptions before proceeding.
When you encounter the C12 sign, you must not drive your motor vehicle into the restricted area. Look for alternative routes or follow any signs directing you to a ring road or a different path that is permitted for motor vehicles. This sign prioritizes safety and tranquility for other road users.
The C12 sign specifically prohibits motor vehicles. This means vehicles that are not motor-powered, such as bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, are generally permitted. Pedestrians are also allowed to pass through. However, always ensure no other signs contradict this.
Yes, understanding prohibition signs like the C12 is crucial for the Dutch driving theory exam. You'll be tested on your ability to recognise such signs and react appropriately, especially in scenarios involving traffic rules for urban areas or protected zones.
A clear reference image of the C12 - Closed to All Motor Vehicles road sign used in the Netherlands.

The C12 - Closed to All Motor Vehicles road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The C12 - Closed to All Motor Vehicles road sign is part of the Closure & One-Way Signs (C) category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.