Dutch road markings: hatched areas, block markings, lines and give-way lines

By Mustafa Aybek · maker of Rijtheorie Hub · sources: RVV 1990, cbr.nl · last updated 2026-09-29

What does a hatched area (verdrijvingsvlak) mean, and may you drive over a block marking (blokmarkering)? Below are the road markings from the app. Each marking comes with a situation from the question bank, with the explanation and the article of the RVV 1990 the rule comes from.

Hatched area (verdrijvingsvlak)

On the road you see a large area of diagonal stripes bordered by solid lines (a hatched/chevron area). What applies here?

A hatched area bordered by solid lines separates traffic streams; you may not drive on it, across it, or stop in it. This keeps lanes cleanly separated, for example at splits. Source: RVV 1990 art. 77 (verdrijvingsvlak / blokmarkering)

You are following an open rush-hour lane (spitsstrook) that passes an exit. There the lane runs across a hatched area and a painted island (puntstuk). May you simply follow it?

Hatched areas and painted islands may normally not be used (RVV 1990 art. 77(1)), but paragraph 2 makes an exception for drivers following a rush-hour lane that passes a split or merge. Source: RVV 1990 art. 77 lid 1 en 2 (verdrijvingsvlak en puntstuk; uitzondering spitsstrook)

Gore area (puntstuk) and solid line at an exit

You realise too late that you need this exit. The block marking of the exit lane has already ended; between you and the exit there are now a solid line and a painted island (puntstuk). What do you do?

You may not cross a solid line (RVV 1990 art. 76(1)) and you may not use a painted island (art. 77(1)); an indicator changes nothing about that. Reversing on a motorway is prohibited (art. 43(1)). The only correct choice is to continue to the next exit. Source: RVV 1990 art. 76 lid 1 (doorgetrokken streep), art. 77 lid 1 (puntstuk); art. 43 lid 1

Block marking (blokmarkering)

A block marking separates an acceleration or deceleration lane from the through carriageway. Unlike a solid line, you may cross it, as the explanation below shows.

You are driving on the merge lane of a motorway. Between the merge lane and the main carriageway there is a block marking; there is traffic on the main carriageway. What does this marking mean for you?

A merge lane is the part of the road separated from the main carriageway by a block marking and intended for entering that carriageway (art. 1 RVV). So you may cross the block marking, unlike a solid line (art. 76). But entering the main carriageway is a special manoeuvre: you let the other traffic go first (art. 54). Source: RVV 1990 art. 1 (invoegstrook, blokmarkering); art. 54; art. 76 lid 1

You want to leave the motorway. From which moment may you enter the exit lane?

The exit lane is the part of the road separated from the through carriageway by a block marking (RVV 1990 art. 1). You signal (art. 55) and enter it as early as possible so you can brake on the exit lane itself. The hard shoulder is for emergencies only (art. 43(3)) and a solid line may not be crossed (art. 76). Source: RVV 1990 art. 1 (uitrijstrook: door blokmarkering afgescheiden), art. 55, art. 43 lid 3

At a block/chevron marking (weaving section) where lanes merge: what may a driver on the right of the marking do?

Drivers on the right of a block marking may overtake drivers on the left of that marking on the right (art. 11 para. 4 RVV 1990). Source: RVV 1990 art. 11 lid 4

Solid and broken lines

With a bus lane, the line decides whether you may use it. From the theory guide:

Yellow lines along the kerb

You want to leave your car in front of a shop and see a broken yellow line along the kerb. What does that mean for you?

A broken yellow line means a parking ban: parking is not allowed, but a brief stop (boarding/alighting, loading/unloading) is permitted. A continuous yellow line is a stopping ban. Source: RVV 1990 art. 24 (gele onderbroken streep)

A continuous yellow line runs along the road. You want to quickly let a passenger get out. May you briefly stop here?

A continuous yellow line means a stopping ban: you may not stop here and therefore not park either. Only with a broken yellow line is briefly stopping allowed. Source: RVV 1990 art. 24 (gele doorgetrokken streep)

More about these two bans, with signs E1 and E2: no parking and no stopping.

Give-way lines (haaientanden)

What does this road marking mean?

Shark's teeth mean: give way to drivers on the crossing road (from both directions). The points face you. You only need to stop if traffic is coming; only at a red octagonal STOP sign must you always come to a full stop. Source: Bord B6 (haaientanden), RVV 1990 Art. 80

Read the difference from the stop sign in give-way lines or stop sign.

Practise it

Situations with markings are in the free questions on traffic rules and motorway and autoweg. For signs there is the road sign quiz.