This C1 traffic sign signifies a complete closure to all vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and even horse riders or livestock handlers, in both directions. It's often seen in pedestrianized areas, market squares, or where roadworks necessitate a total blockage. While all forms of vehicular traffic are prohibited, pedestrians are permitted to pass through. Always check for supplementary plates that might indicate specific times or exemptions for certain traffic, like destination traffic.
Learn the key details of the C1 - Closed to All Vehicles (Pedestrians Allowed) 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 C1 sign is a white circle with a red border that means road closed in both directions to vehicles, riders, and persons in charge of animals or livestock. It creates a fully traffic free zone for motor and animal drawn traffic, often in pedestrianised shopping streets, market squares, or during roadworks. Deliveries, agricultural traffic, and through traffic must use alternative routes unless a specific exemption is shown on an additional plate.
This sign indicates that the road ahead is completely closed to all vehicles, riders, and animal drawn traffic from both directions. You may not enter with any form of vehicle, even briefly, for loading or turning around. Only pedestrians are allowed to pass beyond the sign, so you must park or turn around before it and choose another route with legal access for your vehicle type.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the C1 - Closed to All Vehicles (Pedestrians Allowed) 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 C1 sign prohibits entry for any type of vehicle, including cars, motorcycles, vans, trucks, buses, animal-drawn vehicles, and even horse riders. Essentially, if it has wheels or hooves and is being ridden or driven, it's not allowed past this sign unless an exemption is indicated by a supplementary plate.
Yes, absolutely. The C1 sign specifically states that pedestrians are allowed. So, if you need to proceed on foot, you are permitted to go beyond the sign, even though vehicles cannot.
Always pay close attention to any supplementary plate (below the main sign). These plates can specify exceptions, such as allowing destination traffic (e.g., residents or businesses in the closed area) or only prohibiting traffic during certain hours. If an exemption applies to you, you may be allowed to proceed, but you must adhere strictly to the conditions on the plate.
You'll typically find the C1 sign at the entrance to pedestrian zones, shopping streets, market squares, or parks where vehicle access is restricted. It's also commonly used to indicate a full road closure due to construction, events, or safety reasons.
While both prohibit entry, the C1 'Closed to All Vehicles' sign is more comprehensive. A standard 'No Entry' sign (often circular with a red bar) usually prohibits entry into a one-way street or specific lane, whereas the C1 sign indicates a complete closure for ALL vehicles, though pedestrians are allowed.
A clear reference image of the C1 - Closed to All Vehicles (Pedestrians Allowed) road sign used in the Netherlands.
The C1 - Closed to All Vehicles (Pedestrians Allowed) road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The C1 - Closed to All Vehicles (Pedestrians Allowed) road sign is part of the Closure & One-Way Signs (C) category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.