This unit focuses on the critical aspects of vehicle lighting, visibility, and adapting your driving to adverse weather conditions. You'll learn the Dutch regulations for using headlights, fog lights, and hazard warning lights, as well as essential strategies for safe driving in rain, fog, and snow. Mastering these rules is vital for passing your CBR theory test and ensuring your safety on Dutch roads, especially during darker months or challenging weather.
Browse all lessons that make up Lighting, Visibility, and Weather Conditions. Each lesson focuses on specific topics, learning objectives, and core concepts, helping you build essential knowledge and follow a clear, structured progression toward your study goals in the Netherlands.
This lesson details the functions of the various lights on a car and the legal requirements for their use. You will learn the difference between dipped beams (dimlicht), which are the standard headlights for night driving and poor visibility, and main beams (grootlicht), which can only be used when they won't dazzle other road users. The content also covers the use of sidelights (stadslicht) for parking and the automatic function of Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). Correct usage is vital for visibility and avoiding blinding other drivers.
This lesson focuses on the use of specialized lights for specific situations. You will learn the strict conditions under which fog lights may be used: the rear fog light is only permitted when visibility from fog or snow is less than 50 meters, and not in rain. The lesson also explains the correct use of hazard warning lights, which are intended to warn other drivers of a stationary obstruction (like a breakdown or the tail end of a sudden traffic jam) or while being towed.
This lesson provides practical advice for driving in challenging weather. You will learn about the risk of aquaplaning in heavy rain and how to react, as well as how to manage the effects of strong crosswinds. The curriculum covers winter driving, explaining the danger of black ice, the benefits of winter tires, and techniques for avoiding and correcting a skid. A key focus is on adjusting driving style: increasing following distances, reducing speed, and making gentle steering and braking inputs.
This lesson focuses on the importance of maintaining clear visibility in all directions. You will learn about the legal requirement to have clean windows, mirrors, and lights, and the proper use of demisters and wipers. The content provides strategies for managing sun glare using sun visors and sunglasses. It also addresses the issue of being dazzled by the headlights of other vehicles at night and how to react safely by slowing down and looking towards the right edge of the road.
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In the Netherlands, the rear fog light must be used when visibility is less than 50 metres due to fog, heavy rain, or snow. The front fog lights can be used in fog or heavy snowfall, but only when visibility is also less than 50 metres. Always remember to switch them off once visibility improves to avoid dazzling other drivers.
Dipped beams (dimlicht) are your standard headlights, used in darkness, when visibility is reduced, or when meeting oncoming traffic or following another vehicle. Main beams (grootlicht) provide maximum illumination and should only be used on unlit roads when there is no other traffic to dazzle. You must dip your headlights when other road users are present.
Heavy rain significantly reduces visibility and can cause aquaplaning. You should reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and ensure your dipped beams are on. If visibility drops below 50 metres, you should also activate your rear fog light. Ensure your windscreen wipers and demisters are functioning correctly.
Yes, the theory exam covers how to drive safely in snow. This includes reducing speed drastically, increasing stopping distances significantly, using dipped beams, and employing the rear fog light if visibility is severely reduced. Gentle acceleration and braking are key to maintaining control. Always anticipate slippery conditions.
In conditions like fog, heavy rain, or snow, your vehicle can become difficult to see. Using the correct lights, especially dipped beams and potentially fog lights, makes your vehicle visible to others, helping them to avoid collisions. Likewise, you need to see clearly to react to hazards, making proper use of your headlights essential.
Visibility less than 50 metres means you cannot see further than the length of a standard Dutch road (about half a football pitch). This is a critical threshold for using your rear fog light. It indicates conditions severe enough to warrant extra precautions for safety and compliance with traffic laws.
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Lessons in Lighting, Visibility, and Weather Conditions
See who benefits most from studying Lighting, Visibility, and Weather Conditions. This overview explains how the unit supports different learning needs, what level of knowledge is helpful before starting, and how it fits into the overall study path in the Netherlands.
This unit is essential for all learners preparing for the Dutch Category B driving theory test, particularly those who may be unfamiliar with specific Dutch lighting regulations or who live in regions with frequent challenging weather conditions. It's also beneficial for exam retakers needing to solidify their understanding of visibility and weather-related driving rules.
See how Dutch Driving Theory B is structured, with key topics, learning objectives, and a step-by-step path for theory preparation in the Netherlands.
Explore all units and lessons included in this driving theory course.