This C17 sign, 'Closed to Vehicles Longer Than...', is a prohibition sign that restricts entry to vehicles or combinations exceeding a specific length indicated on the sign itself. It's often used to protect routes with tight curves or short loading bays, ensuring long vehicles don't get stuck or cause hazards. The length includes any load and trailer, so always check your vehicle's total dimensions before proceeding. Understanding this sign is crucial for safe navigation and passing your Dutch theory exam.
Learn the key details of the C17 - Closed to Vehicles Longer 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.
The C17 sign is a white circle with a red border and a length value, indicating closed to vehicles or combinations whose total length, including load, exceeds that value. It is often found before narrow bridges, sharp hairpin bends, short ferry ramps, or compact city streets where long vehicles cannot safely manoeuvre or wait. Drivers of trucks, buses, and articulated combinations must know their exact length and plan an alternative route if they exceed the posted limit.
This sign means that vehicles or combinations longer than the length shown on the sign may not enter. The limit includes the full vehicle plus any trailer and load, so you must check your total length before continuing. The rule prevents long combinations from getting stuck on tight curves, blocking junctions, or causing danger in short storage bays, so over length vehicles must choose another suitable route.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the C17 - Closed to Vehicles Longer 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 C17 sign means that vehicles or vehicle combinations that are longer than the length specified on the sign are not allowed to enter the road ahead. This length typically includes the vehicle, trailer, and any load it is carrying.
This sign is primarily used to protect roads that are not suitable for long vehicles, such as those with sharp bends, narrow passages, or short turning areas. It prevents potential traffic jams, accidents, and damage to roads or vehicles.
A common trap is forgetting to include the trailer and load when calculating the total length. Drivers might only consider the tractor unit. Always ensure you know your vehicle's total length, including its load, to correctly interpret the C17 sign and avoid an exam mistake.
Yes, if your vehicle's total length (including load and trailer) is shorter than the length indicated on the C17 sign, you are allowed to enter. However, be mindful of the turning radius required; sometimes even shorter vehicles can have difficulty navigating tight corners.
If your vehicle exceeds the posted length, you must not enter that road. You should look for an alternative route that is suitable for your vehicle's dimensions. Sometimes, escort vehicles are required for specific over-length transport, but the C17 sign itself indicates a complete prohibition unless otherwise specified.
A clear reference image of the C17 - Closed to Vehicles Longer Than… road sign used in the Netherlands.
The C17 - Closed to Vehicles Longer Than… road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The C17 - Closed to Vehicles Longer Than… road sign is part of the Closure & One-Way Signs (C) category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.