Theory Mastery

Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds

What the exam asks here: This is a real CBR exam scenario: a cyclist beside or behind-right of you can slip into the blind spot between your last mirror glance and the actual turn.

14 minutes · 7 sections · 12 questions

The trap

Many learners think: A moped-scooter may, just like a moped, ride 30 km/h in town and 40 km/h outside it.

The rule is: A moped-scooter may ride at most 25 km/h, both in town and outside it — one fixed figure, not the 30/40/45 distinction that applies to the moped

Challenge

This is a real CBR exam scenario: a cyclist beside or behind-right of you can slip into the blind spot between your last mirror glance and the actual turn. And once you overtake or pass that cyclist, the next trap waits: the moped and the moped-scooter look alike, but their speed rules are anything but.

Read this section on its own page: Challenge: Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds

The model

Moped with a path: 30 km/h in town, 40 km/h outside built-up areas; without a path on the roadway: 45 km/h, both in and outside town. Moped-scooter: always 25 km/h, both in and outside built-up areas — one fixed figure, no 30/40/45 ladder (Book p.129).

Read this section on its own page: The model: Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds

Core

Both vehicles must use the cycle/moped path if one exists; where there is no path, they must use the roadway. In some large cities the moped-scooter may not even use the mandatory cycle path and must then ride the roadway wearing a helmet (Book p.129). When overtaking cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds you keep a wide lateral distance of about 1.5 metres, and you do not move back right too soon after the manoeuvre (Book p.130). Hearing-impaired cyclists often — but not always — have a sign on the back of their bicycle; drive predictably regardless so you do not appear unexpectedly near them (Book p.129). Electric cyclists often ride noticeably faster than ordinary cyclists, and cyclists with heavy shopping bags or children in a child seat are less stable (Book p.129). One more real exam trap belongs here too, even though it is not on these book pages: when turning right, a cyclist riding beside or behind-right of you can disappear into the blind spot. One mirror glance is not enough — look separately over your shoulder right before turning (CBR teaching material/Driving procedure B).

Read this section on its own page: Core: Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds

Why it matters

Confuse the speeds and you underestimate how fast a moped without a path can ride beside you; mistake a mirror glance for a complete check and you turn at the exact moment the cyclist is invisible.

Read this section on its own page: Why it matters: Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds

Active recall

Near Zutphen a moped-scooter is riding ahead of you on the mandatory cycle path. What maximum speed applies to this moped-scooter?

Read this section on its own page: Active recall: Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds

Teach back

Explain: why is one mirror glance not enough before you turn right near a cyclist, and what should you do instead?

Read this section on its own page: Teach back: Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds

Memory hook

Moped: path 30/40, without path 45. Moped-scooter: always 25. Overtaking: 1.5 m. Turning right: mirror + shoulder.

Read this section on its own page: Memory hook: Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds

Source: RVV 1990 art. 5 · checked 2026-10-22

The picture

Moped vs. moped-scooter: where to ride, how fastMoped (bromfietser)Moped-scooter (snorfietser)With cycle/moped pathmandatory on path — 30 km/h in town, 40 km/h outsidemandatory on cycle path — 25 km/h in town and outsideWithout a path (on the roadway)45 km/h, in town and outside25 km/h, in town and outside (same limit)Special casenonein some large cities: mandatory cycle path forbidden, then helmet required on the roadway
What to look at: Moped: path 30/40, without path 45/45. Moped-scooter: mandatory cycle path 25/25, in some cities helmet + roadway.

Signs and law

Test yourself

You approach a junction near Doetinchem and want to turn right. Beside you, just outside your direct field of view, a cyclist is riding alongside. What is the biggest danger here, and what speeds actually apply to the moped and moped-scooter that were riding ahead of you moments ago?

Show the answer

Moped with a path: 30 km/h in town, 40 km/h outside built-up areas; without a path on the roadway: 45 km/h, both in and outside town. Moped-scooter: always 25 km/h, both in and outside built-up areas — one fixed figure, no 30/40/45 ladder (Book p.129).

Exam questions on this topic

Watch the muted ~5 s clip: you approach a junction with a cycle path. Tap HAZARD! the moment you see the hazard develop, then choose what you do at the frozen frame: brake, release the accelerator or nothing?

Hazard perception: a cyclist crossing on the intersecting cycle path (RVV 1990 art. 15 lid 1 / art. 80 (haaientanden)).
Watch the clip · The clip plays here as an animated image; the real hazard-perception test with tapping at the right moment is in the app.
  1. Brake
  2. Release the accelerator
  3. Nothing
Show the answer

Correct answer: Brake

Correct choice: brake — a cyclist crossing on the intersecting cycle path (5.7 m away, ~0.8 s to contact) is in your path; releasing the accelerator or doing nothing leaves too little room.

Why learners get this wrong: Releasing the accelerator is not enough here: a cyclist crossing on the intersecting cycle path — 5.7 m away, ~0.8 s to contact. Only braking keeps you clear of the hazard (stop within the distance you can see to be clear).

Open this question

Watch the muted ~5 s clip: you approach a junction with a cycle path. Tap HAZARD! the moment you see the hazard develop, then choose what you do at the frozen frame: brake, release the accelerator or nothing?

Hazard perception: a cyclist swerving from the cycle lane into the carriageway (RVV 1990 art. 19 en art. 54).
Watch the clip · The clip plays here as an animated image; the real hazard-perception test with tapping at the right moment is in the app.
  1. Brake
  2. Release the accelerator
  3. Nothing
Show the answer

Correct answer: Release the accelerator

Correct choice: release the accelerator — a cyclist swerving from the cycle lane into the carriageway (6.5 m away, ~4.3 s to contact) is developing beside or ahead of you: keep space, be ready to brake, no hard braking.

Why learners get this wrong: Hard braking is excessive here: a cyclist swerving from the cycle lane into the carriageway is not in your path yet (6.5 m away, ~4.3 s to contact). Releasing the accelerator keeps space and avoids being hit from behind.

Open this question

About Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds: which statement is correct?

  1. Hearing-impaired cyclists often, but NOT always, have a sign.
  2. A moped-scooter may, just like a moped, ride 30 km/h in town and 40 km/h outside it.
  3. An electric cyclist and a cyclist with full shopping bags are just as fast and just as stable as an ordinary cyclist without a load.
  4. If you have checked your mirror once before turning right, you have seen the cyclist beside you and it is safe to turn.
Show the answer

Correct answer: Hearing-impaired cyclists often, but NOT always, have a sign.

Hearing-impaired cyclists often, but NOT always, have a sign. Drive predictably regardless and do not appear unexpectedly, sign or no sign

Why learners get this wrong: A moped-scooter may, just like a moped, ride 30 km/h in town and 40 km/h outside it.

Open this question

About Vulnerable cyclists, moped-scooters and mopeds: which statement is WRONG?

  1. CBR teaching material/Driving procedure B - a cyclist beside or behind-right of you can disappear into the blind spot; look separately over your shoulder just before turning, not only in the mirror beforehand.
  2. Every hearing-impaired cyclist has a sign on the back of the bicycle, so without a sign you do not need to account for hearing impairment.
  3. A moped-scooter may ride at most 25 km/h, both in town and outside it — one fixed figure, not the 30/40/45 distinction that applies to the moped.
  4. Electric cyclists often ride noticeably faster than ordinary cyclists, and cyclists with heavy bags or children in child seats are less stable.
Show the answer

Correct answer: Every hearing-impaired cyclist has a sign on the back of the bicycle, so without a sign you do not need to account for hearing impairment.

Hearing-impaired cyclists often, but NOT always, have a sign. Drive predictably regardless and do not appear unexpectedly, sign or no sign

Why learners get this wrong: If you have checked your mirror once before turning right, you have seen the cyclist beside you and it is safe to turn.

Open this question

Near Zutphen a moped-scooter is riding ahead of you on the mandatory cycle path. What maximum speed applies to this moped-scooter?

  1. 25 km/h, in and outside built-up areas
  2. 30 km/h in town, 40 km/h outside built-up areas
Show the answer

Correct answer: 25 km/h, in and outside built-up areas

Those are the moped's figures with a path; the moped-scooter has one fixed figure: 25 km/h

Why learners get this wrong: A moped-scooter may, just like a moped, ride 30 km/h in town and 40 km/h outside it.

Open this question

A moped-scooter may ride at most 25 km/h, both in town and outside it — one fixed figure, not the 30/40/45 distinction that applies to the moped.

  1. False
  2. True
Show the answer

Correct answer: True

A moped-scooter may ride at most 25 km/h, both in town and outside it — one fixed figure, not the 30/40/45 distinction that applies to the moped

Why learners get this wrong: A moped-scooter may, just like a moped, ride 30 km/h in town and 40 km/h outside it.

Open this question

On a road outside Apeldoorn there is no cycle or moped path; a moped must use the roadway. What is the maximum speed (in km/h) for this moped, both in and outside built-up areas?

Show the answer

Correct answer: 45 km/u

Correct: 45.0 km/u.

Open this question

Near Leeuwarden a moped-scooter rider is riding ahead of you on the mandatory cycle path next to the road, first inside and then outside the built-up area. How fast may he ride there?

  1. 25 km/h, the same inside the built-up area and outside it
  2. 30 km/h inside the built-up area and 40 km/h outside it
  3. 45 km/h, the same inside the built-up area and outside it
Show the answer

Correct answer: 25 km/h, the same inside the built-up area and outside it

False — here too you confuse the moped-scooter with the moped. 45 km/h applies to a moped on the roadway where there is no path; a moped-scooter may do at most 25 km/h inside and outside the built-up area

Why learners get this wrong: A moped-scooter may, just like a moped, ride 30 km/h in town and 40 km/h outside it.

Open this question

On a provincial road near Emmen you overtake a cyclist. What lateral distance (in metres) do you keep at minimum?

Show the answer

Correct answer: 1.5 m

Correct: 1.5 m (±0.25).

Open this question

At a junction in Nijmegen you want to turn right. Just before turning you glance once in your right wing mirror: no cyclist visible. What is the correct next step before you actually turn?

  1. Turn immediately; the mirror would already have shown the cyclist if there was one
  2. Still look separately over your shoulder — a cyclist may have moved into the blind spot in the meantime
Show the answer

Correct answer: Still look separately over your shoulder — a cyclist may have moved into the blind spot in the meantime

Why learners get this wrong: If you have checked your mirror once before turning right, you have seen the cyclist beside you and it is safe to turn.

Open this question

All practice questions of this topic

Frequently asked questions

‘A moped-scooter may, just like a moped, ride 30 km/h in town and 40 km/h outside it’ – is that true?

No. A moped-scooter may ride at most 25 km/h, both in town and outside it — one fixed figure, not the 30/40/45 distinction that applies to the moped

‘If you have checked your mirror once before turning right, you have seen the cyclist beside you and it is safe to turn’ – is that true?

No. CBR teaching material/Driving procedure B - a cyclist beside or behind-right of you can disappear into the blind spot; look separately over your shoulder just before turning, not only in the mirror beforehand

‘Every hearing-impaired cyclist has a sign on the back of the bicycle, so without a sign you do not need to account for hearing impairment’ – is that true?

No. Hearing-impaired cyclists often, but NOT always, have a sign. Drive predictably regardless and do not appear unexpectedly, sign or no sign

‘An electric cyclist and a cyclist with full shopping bags are just as fast and just as stable as an ordinary cyclist without a load’ – is that true?

No. Electric cyclists often ride noticeably faster than ordinary cyclists, and cyclists with heavy bags or children in child seats are less stable. Both call for an adjusted assessment

‘A snorfiets may do 45 km/h, like a moped; the only difference is the number plate’ – is that true?

No. Snorfiets: 25 km/h in and outside the built-up area, blue plate; moped: 45 km/h on the carriageway (30/40 on the cycle/moped path), yellow plate

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