Theory Mastery

Belt on before setting off (RVV art. 59)

Driver and passengers fasten their seat belts before moving off, even for a short trip (RVV art. 59). The driver is also responsible for belt and child-seat use by passengers under 18.

Source: RVV 1990 art. 59 · checked 2026-10-23

How the exam asks it

Getting into the driving-school car in 's-Hertogenbosch, put the following checks in the correct order, from first to last.

Answer options: Adjust the headrest (flat behind your head) · Adjust the mirrors · Adjust the seat · Adjust the steering wheel · Put on the seatbelt

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Correct answer: Adjust the seat; Adjust the headrest (flat behind your head); Adjust the steering wheel; Adjust the mirrors; Put on the seatbelt

§13.3: before every trip check seat, headrest, steering wheel and mirrors, in that order; only then do you put on your seatbelt before driving off.

Open this question

In a car you have just rented at Schiphol the headrest is at the height of your shoulders. What do you do before you drive off?

  1. You leave it; a headrest is only there for comfort
  2. You leave it; it is behind you and catches you in a crash
  3. You raise the headrest until it is right behind your head
Show the answer

Correct answer: You raise the headrest until it is right behind your head

False — you see the headrest as comfort. The headrest protects your neck in a rear-end collision, and it only does so when it is right behind your head

Why learners get this wrong: The headrest is there for comfort; its height makes no difference to safety.

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You only drive short trips within the built-up area of Uden and do not go on the motorway. An acquaintance says: 'Then you don't need to wear your seatbelt.' Is he right?

  1. True
  2. False
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Correct answer: False

False — the seatbelt duty does not depend on road type or speed. You put on your seatbelt before setting off, in town just as on the motorway

Why learners get this wrong: The seatbelt is only mandatory on the motorway, or at higher speeds.

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On your way to Oldenzaal you get into your own car, which you also drove yesterday. Your brother says: 'It was set right yesterday, you don't need to check it now.' What do you do?

  1. You drive off; adjusting again is only needed in an unfamiliar car
  2. You check seat, headrest, steering wheel and mirrors and only then drive off
  3. You only check the mirrors; seat and steering wheel do not move by themselves
Show the answer

Correct answer: You check seat, headrest, steering wheel and mirrors and only then drive off

False — you only check part of it. Before every trip you check that seat, headrest, steering wheel and mirrors are set right; someone else may have adjusted them, even in your own car

Why learners get this wrong: You only need to re-adjust seat, headrest, steering wheel and mirrors when getting into a new or unfamiliar car, not on every trip in your own car.

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Yesterday your partner drove your own car. Today you get in for a short trip through Eindhoven. What belongs to your check before setting off? (multiple answers possible)

  1. Setting the headrest so it sits right behind your head
  2. Leaving the seatbelt off, because you are not going on the motorway
  3. Adjusting nothing: it is your own car, so everything is already right
  4. Checking seat, headrest, steering wheel and mirrors and adjusting them if needed
Show the answer

Correct answer: Setting the headrest so it sits right behind your head; Checking seat, headrest, steering wheel and mirrors and adjusting them if needed

False — the seatbelt duty does not depend on road type or speed. Before setting off you put on your seatbelt, also for a short trip in town

Why learners get this wrong: The seatbelt is only mandatory on the motorway, or at higher speeds.

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