The C18 'Closed to Vehicles Wider Than...' sign is a prohibition sign you'll see in the Netherlands, warning drivers that the road ahead is too narrow for vehicles exceeding a specific width. This limit, including any load, is crucial for preventing damage to narrow bridges, historic streets, or infrastructure, and avoiding side-swipes. If your vehicle, including its load, is wider than the stated measurement, you must not proceed and should seek an alternative route.
Learn the key details of the C18 - Closed to Vehicles Wider Than… 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.
C18 is a circular red prohibition sign that indicates the maximum permitted vehicle width on a particular road section. The limit applies to the full width of the vehicle, including fixed equipment such as mirrors and any load that increases overall size. It is often placed before narrow bridges, traffic calmed streets, construction zones, or historic city centres to prevent side swipes, structural damage, and blocked traffic, and to protect vulnerable road users.
This sign prohibits entry for vehicles whose total width, including mirrors and load, is greater than the value shown. It warns of a narrow road, bridge, tunnel, or street where wide vehicles could hit obstacles, parked cars, or oncoming traffic. Drivers must know the true width of their vehicle and take an alternative route if they are too wide.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the C18 - Closed to Vehicles Wider Than… 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 C18 sign indicates that vehicles with a width exceeding the stated measurement (including any load) are prohibited from entering the road ahead. This is a safety measure to prevent collisions and damage on narrow sections.
If your vehicle's width, including its load, exceeds the measurement shown on the C18 sign, you must not enter. You should find a different route that accommodates your vehicle's width. Look for designated wide-load routes or other suitable alternatives.
Yes, absolutely. The stated width limit on the C18 sign includes the vehicle itself plus any load it is carrying. You must consider the total width when deciding if you can proceed.
Generally, no. Special permits or escorts do not override the restriction unless there is a specific, accompanying sign indicating otherwise. The C18 sign is a strict prohibition for vehicles over the posted width.
These signs are placed before sections of road that are physically too narrow for wider vehicles. This commonly includes narrow bridges, historical town centres with tight streets, or areas prone to infrastructure damage if wider vehicles pass through.
A common trap is forgetting that the load counts towards the total width. Another is assuming exceptions without a specific sign. Learners might also not consider the need to plan ahead for alternative routes if their vehicle is too wide, which is important for safe driving.
A clear reference image of the C18 - Closed to Vehicles Wider Than… road sign used in the Netherlands.
The C18 - Closed to Vehicles Wider Than… road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The C18 - Closed to Vehicles Wider Than… road sign is part of the Closure & One-Way Signs (C) category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.