No, applying makeup while driving is prohibited under Dutch traffic law as it constitutes afleiding van de weggebruiker (distraction of road users), risking fines up to €380. The Reglement Verkeersregels en Verkeerstekens (RVV 1990) explicitly bars activities diverting attention from safe driving, with enforcement tightening under 2026 EU road safety directives.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in Netherlands
- Distraction Prohibition (RVV 1990, Article 5.1): Any action reducing driver focus—including makeup application—violates the duty to maintain full control of the vehicle. The Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW) classifies this as a verkeersovertreding (traffic offense).
- Strict Liability for Accidents: Courts (e.g., Gerechtshof Den Haag) consistently rule that applying makeup creates culpa in causa (contributory negligence) in collisions, even if the act itself wasn’t the direct cause.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Under the EU’s Road Safety Directive (2019/1936), the Netherlands will introduce smart camera enforcement targeting handheld device use, with secondary focus on visible grooming behaviors. The Politie may issue on-the-spot fines for “distraction offenses” starting Q1 2026.