Car rental in The Netherlands can be helpful, particularly if you plan to do a lot of traveling to sights that are off the beaten path. Amsterdam car rental is generally a cinch, as most of the big name car rental companies have offices in Amsterdam. Car rental in The Netherlands comes with its own foibles, however, so be sure you are informed before you head out on the road.

To take advantage of car rental in The Netherlands, you won’t need any special license other than the driver’s license from your own country and of course your valid passport. Drivers should note, though, that as mentioned above the roads are densely populated by cars and drivers in The Netherlands have one of the highest incidences of group road rage in the world. Although Amsterdam car rental is a possibility, most travelers find that Amsterdam car rental actually turns out to be more trouble than it is worth. The busy streets, highly impatient drivers and the hassle of driving about in an unknown city can all add up to a high stress level. Car rental in The Netherlands is generally best for visiting those hard to get to places and cities much smaller than Amsterdam.

One important rule to note when driving your car rental in The Netherlands is to drive on the right. The speed limit in build up areas is 50 km/h, and sometimes there are zones which have a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h. Outside of towns the speed is limited to 80 km/h. Your speed will be checked nationwide by the police. Travelers trying to skirt the law should also be aware that radar detectors are illegal devices to have in your car, and will be impounded with a fine of 250 euros. The police actually use radar detector detectors to track down radar detector users, so it is best to turn them off while in Holland. Drinking and driving is not allowed, and this law is enforced strongly.

Netherlands Map

Finding fuel in The Netherlands is not much of a hassle, since along highways many gas stations are open 24 hours a day. Unmanned gas stations can be found selling petrol for a lower rate, which is a growing trend in The Netherlands. These stations will accept your credit or debit card. Be sure to keep an eye out for the type of gas your car will need. Many cars in Europe actually run on diesel rather than unleaded gasoline, and putting the wrong type of gas in your car can be a quick way to slow down an otherwise fun vacation.

Car rental in The Netherlands is the perfect option for travelers who want to get out into the countryside and see some of the smaller villages and towns in the area. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and Utrecht are all surrounded by some excellent villages with quaint shopping and ancient castles just waiting for tourists.