Yes, driving with interior lights on is legal in the Netherlands, provided they do not impair visibility or distract other road users. Dutch traffic regulations under the Reglement Verkeersregels en Verkeerstekens 1990 (RVV 1990) permit interior lighting but prohibit conditions that compromise road safety. The Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW) emphasizes that interior lights must not obstruct the driver’s view or create glare for other drivers, particularly in urban areas where lighting conditions vary.
Key Regulations for Driving With Interior Lights On in Netherlands
- Visibility and Distraction Clause (RVV 1990, Article 5.1): Interior lights must not interfere with the driver’s ability to observe traffic or road signs. Excessive brightness or poorly shielded lights may be deemed a violation under artikel 5.1, which mandates that all vehicle lighting must not cause undue distraction.
- Glare Prohibition (RVV 1990, Article 5.2): Lights directed outward—including interior dome lights—cannot project into the cabin of other vehicles or blind oncoming traffic. The Politie and Rijkswaterstaat actively enforce this during nighttime patrols, especially in high-traffic zones like the A10 ring road.
- 2026 Compliance Shift (EU Directive 2022/2464): Under the upcoming EU-wide Vehicle General Safety Regulation, interior lighting systems must meet new visibility standards by 2026. Dutch authorities will align enforcement with these rules, requiring vehicles to use dimmable or shielded interior lighting in motion.