I previously wrote about my latest integration project consisting of getting my Dutch driver’s license. Everyone I have spoken to seems pretty surprised that someone who already knows how to drive and has a driver’s license needs to take some classes and the exam all over again. While I share their surprise, I also think that I have learned valuable information about driving that I did not have before. One of the most important driving skills I am learning is the interaction with bikes. Even with separate fietspaden in most areas, I will admit that it takes some getting used to. Checking my blinde plek before turning has taken a whole new degree of importance!

The theoretical driving exam with the CBR really prepares you with bike interaction and safety. While there are a variety of questions and topics, fiets-auto situations are shown and the driver must choose in some questions who has prioriteit or in some other questions if he/she should remmen, gas loslaten, or niets doen. 

Take the following photographs as examples. If you were driving and see this situation, what would you do, remmen, gas loslaten, or niets doen? 

Photograph by Fietsberaad found in Flickr.com

Photograph by Kate Webster found in Flickr.com

Photograph by Fietsberaad taken from Flickr.com

Photograph by Oxlaey.com found in Flickr.com

(LET OP! The actual theoretical exam as well as the study material gives you more information for each situation such as speed of the car and signals if the car will turn. These photographs are merely meant to give an idea of what situations the exam asks about.)

Another important learning experience has been to understand road signs. The basic groen-oranje-rood stoplicht is pretty similar to my previous experience; I would even dare say that it is universal. However, there are other signs that are not universal. Here are some examples:

This sign indicates that the road you are on has priority over the roads crossing it, therefore you do not have to give them way.

Photograph by DennisM2 taken from Flickr.com

This following photograph has two signs. The blue one indicates that it is a dead end, however, below the blue sign it says that this signs doesn’t apply to bikes. The round red sign indicate that the maximum width of a vehicle that can go in this road is of 2.2 meters.

Photograph by E. Dronkert taken from Flickr.com

What has been your experience driving in the Netherlands? Do you find many differences with other countries?