Minimum speed versus the duty not to obstruct

There is no legal minimum speed in the Netherlands; what does exist is the general duty not to obstruct the flow of traffic needlessly (RVV art. 5 and 19): driving much slower than the other traffic without reason hinders others. Do not confuse that open standard with a fixed figure you must at least drive.

Source: Speed, distance & stopping distance · checked 2026-10-23

How the exam asks it

Statement: on p.117-126 of this chapter there is a citation that fixes a specific minimum speed (in km/u) for the motorway.

True
False

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Correct answer: False

Why learners get this wrong: This chapter (p.117-126) names a specific figure or law article for a legal minimum-speed duty.

Open this question

Outside the built-up area near Hardenberg you are driving on a quiet road where 80 km/h is allowed. It is dry and you have good visibility. You are doing 50 km/h and a queue of cars is forming behind you. What do you do?

You keep doing 50; you are well above the fixed minimum speed of 40 km/h
You speed up to a suitable pace; driving unnecessarily slowly hinders the traffic flow
You keep driving like this; slower is safer and whoever is in a hurry can overtake

Show the answer

Correct answer: You speed up to a suitable pace; driving unnecessarily slowly hinders the traffic flow

False — you assume a fixed figure for the lowest permitted speed. The book gives no such figure. What the book does say: do not drive unnecessarily slowly, because that hinders the flow and invites risky overtaking