Group F signs regulate overtaking, turning manoeuvres, and lane usage, helping maintain safe and orderly traffic flow. They indicate where overtaking is prohibited, which lanes may be used for certain directions, and how different vehicle classes should position themselves. Mastering this group improves safe decision-making on multi-lane roads and strengthens your ability to answer theory-exam questions involving overtaking and lane control.
An explanation of how Overtaking & Lane Directives (F) road signs apply in real traffic situations in the Netherlands. Learn where these signs are typically placed, what drivers are expected to do when they appear, and how correct reactions help you stay safe, avoid fines, and succeed in your Dutch driving theory exam.
Signs in Group F are frequently encountered on various types of roads, particularly where traffic needs careful management for safety and efficiency. You'll see 'No Overtaking' signs (F1, F3) on two-way roads, especially before bends, hills, or junctions where visibility is limited. Conversely, 'End of No Overtaking' signs (F2, F4) signal that the restriction has ended. Signs like 'Priority to Oncoming Traffic' (F5) or 'Oncoming Traffic Must Yield' (F6) are common at narrow bridges, single-lane tunnels, or sections of roadworks where only one direction of traffic can pass at a time. Mandatory lane signs, such as 'Bus Lane' (F13) or 'Lorry Lane' (F21), are typically found on busier roads, urban areas, or motorways to separate different vehicle types or facilitate public transport. 'No U-Turn' signs (F7) prevent risky maneuvers at inappropriate locations like busy intersections or medians. Understanding these signs helps drivers anticipate potential conflicts, manage their speed, and choose the correct lane, thus preventing accidents and improving traffic flow.
An overview of the key learning outcomes when studying the Overtaking & Lane Directives (F) road sign category. Understand the main concepts, sign meanings, and traffic situations covered here so you can recognise patterns, answer theory questions more confidently, and build a solid foundation for safe driving in the Netherlands.
Browse every road sign in the Overtaking & Lane Directives (F) category. Each sign includes a clear meaning, purpose, and examples of how it is used in the Netherlands, helping you build strong recognition skills and a detailed understanding of this group of Dutch traffic signs.
Understand the F1 'No Overtaking - Motor Vehicles' Traffic Sign
Stop on Command: Understanding the F10 Authority Stop Road Sign
Understand the F11 'Passing Lane - Slow Vehicles Must Use' Traffic Sign
The slow-vehicle passing lane is ending – prepare to merge!
The F13 sign indicates a lane exclusively for buses.
The F14 sign marks the end of an exclusive bus lane, signalling a return to normal traffic sharing.
Learn About the F15 Tram Lane Road Sign: Exclusive Use for Trams
The F16 sign marks the end of a tram-only lane, allowing mixed traffic to resume.
What does the F21 Lorry Lane sign mean for your driving theory test?
The F17 Sign: Reserved Lane for Trams and Buses Only
The F18 sign marks the end of a dedicated tram and bus lane, signalling a return to general traffic rules.
Know the F19 sign: You're entering a lane reserved exclusively for lorries and buses.
The F2 sign means the no-overtaking restriction for motor vehicles has ended.
The F20 Sign Signals the End of Exclusive Lorry and Bus Lane Use
The F22 Sign Signals the End of a Dedicated Lorry Lane
Understand the 'No Overtaking — Lorries' (F3) Traffic Sign
The F4 sign means the ban on lorries overtaking ends here.
The F5 Sign: You Must Give Way to Oncoming Traffic
F6: Oncoming Traffic Has Priority at Narrowings
This F7 sign strictly prohibits making a U-turn.
The F8 Sign Means All Previously Posted Prohibitions Are Now Over
The F9 sign marks the end of temporary electronic traffic restrictions.
Clear answers to common questions about the Overtaking & Lane Directives (F) road sign category. Use this FAQ to review tricky rules, understand how these signs appear in exam scenarios, and remove confusion that often leads to mistakes in the Dutch driving theory exam in the Netherlands.
The F1 sign prohibits all motor vehicles, except for motorcycles without sidecars, from overtaking other vehicles. The F3 sign is more specific and only prohibits lorries (vehicles with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes) from overtaking. This means that on a road with an F3 sign, cars can still overtake lorries, but lorries cannot overtake other vehicles, including cars or slower lorries. Always check for both signs and remember that the F1 restriction is generally more comprehensive.
These signs are used at points where a road narrows significantly, and it's not possible for two vehicles to pass each other simultaneously. Sign F5 indicates that you have the priority to proceed first, meaning oncoming traffic must wait for you to pass. Sign F6 means the opposite – you must wait for oncoming traffic to pass before you can proceed. These are crucial for preventing head-on collisions in confined spaces like narrow bridges, tunnels, or sections of road undergoing repairs.
Signs like F13 (Bus Lane Only), F21 (Lorry Lane Only), or combinations like F17 (Tram and Bus Lane Only) and F19 (Lorry and Bus Lane Only) instruct specific vehicle categories that they *must* use that lane. For other vehicles, these signs typically mean they are prohibited from using that lane unless indicated otherwise by additional signage or road markings. You need to be aware of these designations to ensure you are in the correct lane for your vehicle type and to avoid obstructing the designated traffic.
Yes, sign F8, 'End of All Posted Prohibitions', indicates that any overtaking restrictions previously put in place by signs F1 and F3 have now ended. Similarly, F9 signifies the end of electronic prohibitions, which could include speed limits or other restrictions managed by electronic signs. It's important to look for these 'end' signs to know when you can resume normal overtaking practices or when general rules apply again.
Sign F10 is a mandatory stop sign, meaning you must come to a complete stop at the designated line before proceeding. This stop is usually required by an authority, such as a police officer, traffic warden, or at a specific checkpoint. You must obey this command just as you would a stop sign at an intersection. Do not proceed until it is safe to do so and you are permitted by the authority directing traffic.