Driving school de Vree - Expats

19/09/2026

A special milestone today: Michel turns 50! 🎈

24/07/2026

A FEW PLACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE IN AUGUST!

02/06/2026

We had to share this 😄 - Typical Dutch satire.

Driving schools are also forced to adapt to high petrol prices. To keep driving lessons affordable, the driving lesson car will be reverted for the time being.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2084313009158012

26/05/2026

12/04/2026

Do you know the official meaning of this green surface at a pedestrian crossing?

During driving lessons, I often get questions from students about situations they encounter on the road.This is one of them in the centre of EINDHOVEN; Edenstraat/ Hugo Verrieststraat.

Many people assume it must mean something:
* extra priority
* something for cyclists
* or a special rule

As a driving instructor, I know the answer 😉
But I’m much more curious how you see it.

👉 What do you think it means?

27/03/2026

Recently I came across a discussion among internationals about this situation:
👉 “Who has priority here?”

What stood out was that the answers were all different.
Some chose red, others green or yellow — all with their own logic.
What’s happening here is a priority loop:
• red has priority over yellow
• green has priority over red
• yellow has priority over green

In this kind of situation, no one can go without blocking someone else. There is no fixed order that solves it — the solution lies in behaviour: slowing down, possibly stopping, and giving each other space.

Many internationals expect that there is always a clear rule that determines what to do. In my work as a driving instructor, I see that these are exactly the situations that raise questions — because they are not solved by rules alone, but require anticipation, awareness and coordination in traffic.

19/03/2026

Some time ago I was in Marrakech, Maroc.

In the old city centre, scooters, bicycles, pedestrians and even cars all move through the same (mostly) narrow streets.

At first it looks chaotic. But if you watch for a moment, you see that everyone constantly adapts to each other.
It’s a very different way for traffic to work.

In the Netherlands we rely much more on predictability and clear rules, so people can anticipate what others will do.

Both systems work — just in different ways.

16/03/2026

Why cyclists and pedestrians have such a strong position in Dutch traffic

In my previous post, I wrote about the Dutch “traffic mindset” — and how driving here is not only about knowing the rules, but about anticipation and taking responsibility. One clear example of this is the position of cyclists and pedestrians.

In the Netherlands, vulnerable road users are strongly protected. Not only culturally, but also legally and through road design. What does this mean in practice?

• Cyclists often have their own infrastructure: separate bike lanes, clear markings and protected priority situations.
• At many roundabouts, cyclists have priority over cars.
• In case of an accident between a motor vehicle and a cyclist or pedestrian, the motorised vehicle is almost always at least partially liable — even if the cyclist made a mistake.
• In residential areas and 30 km/h zones, drivers are expected to adjust their speed to the environment — not just to the traffic sign.

If the Netherlands is not your home country, this may feel different. In some countries traffic is mainly rule-based; in others it is more informal. In the Netherlands, it is strongly responsibility-based. Drivers are expected to actively create safety — even when they technically have the right of way.

Understanding this makes driving here more comfortable and helps prevent surprises during lessons or the driving exam.

06/03/2026

Driving in the Netherlands as an Expat?
It’s more than just passing the exam.

Many internationals I work with in Eindhoven already have years of driving experience. Still, driving in the Netherlands often feels different than expected. Here, it’s not only about knowing the rules.

In Dutch traffic, we value:
• Anticipation and hazard awareness
• Independent decision-making
• Clear, predictable driving
• Responsibility in complex situations

Understanding this “Dutch traffic mindset” makes a real difference — not just for the exam, but for driving confidently and safely!
What usually helps:
• Clear explanation in English
• A personal approach based on your experience
• Calm, structured guidance — no unnecessary pressure

If you’re exploring your options in Eindhoven and would like to understand how driving here really works, feel free to send me a message.