No, riding in the back of an unenclosed truck is prohibited under Dutch traffic law, with exceptions only for agricultural, construction, or emergency vehicles under strict conditions. The Reglement Verkeersregels en Verkeerstekens 1990 (RVV 1990) explicitly bans passenger transport in open cargo areas unless vehicles meet safety standards. Local enforcement by the Politie and Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW) has intensified ahead of 2026 EU mobility regulations targeting road safety.
Key Regulations for Riding in the Back of a Truck in Netherlands
- RVV 1990 Article 5.1.1 prohibits transporting persons in unenclosed cargo spaces unless vehicles are equipped with approved seating, restraints, and weather protection. Violations incur fines up to €400.
- Agricultural/Construction Exemptions (RVV 1990 Article 5.1.2) permit back-of-truck transport only for workers directly engaged in field or site operations, with speed limits capped at 25 km/h and mandatory high-visibility clothing.
- Emergency Vehicles (RVV 1990 Article 5.1.3) may transport personnel in open areas during disaster response, but only if secured with harnesses and under direct supervision of authorized personnel.