Dutch Traffic Fines 2026: The High Price of Texting on a Bike

Amsterdam – There is a specific color that strikes fear into the heart of every resident in the Netherlands. It isn’t the orange of the national football team. It is the purple-pink hue of the envelope from the CJIB (Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau).

As we navigate 2026, the Dutch Ministry of Justice has adjusted traffic fines (verkeersboetes) to account for inflation. The result? Mistakes are now more expensive than ever. While the Netherlands is famous for its relaxed biking culture, the police are anything but relaxed when it comes to safety violations.

Many expats mistakenly believe that traffic rules are just “suggestions” for cyclists. This assumption can ruin your monthly budget in seconds. In this comprehensive guide, we break down the 2026 fine list, explain why checking WhatsApp on your bike is a €160 mistake, and guide you through the bureaucratic maze of paying (or fighting) a ticket.

Table of Contents

• The “Cyclist Trap”: Phones, Lights & Music
• Car Fines: Speeding and the Dreaded “Trajectcontrole”
• Scooters: The Helmet Rule (Blue vs. Yellow Plate)
• Public Transport: The Cost of “Zwartrijden”
• What is the CJIB and How Do I Pay?
• Can I Object? (Bezwaar Maken)
• The Hidden Cost: Administratiekosten
• Dutch Learning Corner

The “Cyclist Trap”: Phones, Lights & Music

The Netherlands has more bikes than people, but that doesn’t mean it’s the Wild West. Police frequently set up control points in major cities (Amsterdam, Utrecht, Groningen) specifically targeting cyclists.

1. Holding an Electronic Device (€160)

This is the #1 fine for expats. Since July 2019, it is illegal to hold a phone, GPS, or music player while cycling.

The Rule: You can use your phone for navigation if it is in a holder mounted on the handlebars. But if you hold it in your hand—even just to skip a song on Spotify—it costs you €160.

2. Broken Lights (€70)

Cycling in the dark without working lights is dangerous and illegal.

Requirement: White/Yellow light on the front, Red light on the back. They must be continuous (not blinking).

Fine: €70. (Pro tip: Buy a set of cheap LED lights at HEMA or Action for €5; it’s much cheaper than the fine.)

3. Running a Red Light (€120)

We all see locals doing it, but if you get caught, the fine is steep. Cyclists are not exempt from traffic signals.

Car Fines: Speeding and the Dreaded “Trajectcontrole”

Driving in the Netherlands requires extreme discipline. There are cameras everywhere.

Trajectcontrole (Average Speed Check)

Unlike a standard speed camera that checks your speed at one point, Trajectcontrole measures your average speed over a distance of several kilometers (e.g., on the A2 or A10).

If your average is even 4 km/h over the limit, you get a ticket. You cannot just brake for the camera and speed up again.

The Cost of Speeding (2026 Estimates)

Fines are calculated based on how much you exceeded the limit and where (Residential vs. Highway).

• 5 km/h too fast (Highway): ~€45
• 10 km/h too fast (City): ~€95
• 20 km/h too fast (Construction zone): ~€280
• 30 km/h+ too fast: Case goes to the Public Prosecutor (Officier van Justitie), usually resulting in a massive fine and potential license suspension.

Other Major Car Fines

• Holding a phone while driving: €420 (Yes, four hundred and twenty).
• Running a red light: €300.
• Parking in a disabled spot without permit: €490.
• Not wearing a seatbelt: €180.

Scooters: The Helmet Rule (Blue vs. Yellow Plate)

A major confusion for expats is the difference between Snorfiets (Blue Plate, max 25 km/h) and Bromfiets (Yellow Plate, max 45 km/h).

The 2026 Reality: Since 2023, wearing a helmet is MANDATORY for both types.

If you are riding a Blue Plate scooter without a helmet, expecting the wind in your hair, you will instead get a fine of €100.

Additionally, Blue Plate scooters are increasingly banned from bike paths in cities like Amsterdam and must ride on the main road (with a helmet).

Public Transport: The Cost of “Zwartrijden”

Using the train, tram, or bus without a valid ticket (or forgetting to check in) is called “Zwartrijden” (Black Riding).

The Fine: The statutory fine is €50 + the cost of the ticket.

Note: Conductors carry card readers. If you claim “I forgot,” they can check your travel history. If it happens once, they might be lenient. If it’s a habit, you pay.

What is the CJIB and How Do I Pay?

The Centraal Justitieel Incassobureau is the collection agency. When you get the fine:

1. Don’t ignore it. The Netherlands is efficient. If you don’t pay within the deadline (usually 6-8 weeks), the fine increases by 50%.
2. Second Warning: If you still don’t pay, it increases by 100% (doubles).
3. Bank Scan: Eventually, they can seize money directly from your Dutch bank account without your permission.

Payment Plans: If the fine is over €225, you can usually request to pay in installments (betalingsregeling) via the CJIB website using your DigiD.

Can I Object? (Bezwaar Maken)

Did you get a fine for a car you already sold? Or were you rushing to the hospital? You can object.

• How: Go to the CJIB website and log in with DigiD.
• Evidence: You need proof. A photo of the situation, a sales contract for the car, or a hospital admission record.
• “I didn’t know”: Ignorance of the law is never accepted as a valid excuse in the Netherlands.

The Hidden Cost: Administratiekosten

Every single fine comes with a footer note: “Exclusief €9 administratiekosten.”

This means even a small €40 fine becomes €49. This fee covers the cost of sending you the letter. There is no way to avoid this.

Dutch Learning Corner