It is not only unsafe to use your phone while driving, but also extremely expensive. That’s how high the fine will be in 2026 for driving with your phone in your hand!
Fine for telephone use
Do you travel a lot by car? In that case, you should also pay close attention in 2026, because traffic fines have become more expensive again in the Netherlands. This means that since January 1, you have to pay even more money for violating traffic rules. These rules state that it is prohibited in the Netherlands to drive with your phone in your hand. Do you do that anyway? Then you pay no less 440 euros in 2026.
That is an extremely high amount, which even rises to 449 euros due to the administrative costs of the Central Judicial Collection Agency. Last year the fine for driving with your phone in your hand was 430 with 9 euros administration costs, so you will pay 10 euros more in 2026. Using the phone behind the wheel is not completely prohibited, as long as you operate the smartphone hands-free.
More and more focus flashes
Traffic fines are traditionally increased in January, but that is not the only change in 2026. More and more focus speed cameras are appearing along the road. This is a new type of speed camera that checks whether the driver of a car is using a mobile phone while driving. The first speed camera that registers smartphones was installed in February 2025, with many more to follow this year.
There are now focus flash units at various locations throughout the country. The images from these speed cameras are checked by a special investigating officer, who determines whether a telephone is indeed being used behind the wheel. Is that the case? In that case, the driver will receive a fine of no less than 440 euros (excluding administration costs) shortly afterwards.
This way you avoid fines
Driving with your phone in hand will be one of the highest traffic fines you can receive in the Netherlands in 2026. For example, it is ‘cheaper’ to drive through a red light or to block an intersection with your car. It is easy to avoid a traffic fine by simply not using your phone behind the wheel. Do you have to adjust your route along the way or do you want to set a different number? Then use CarPlay or your car’s operating system, because that is allowed.
Does your car not have CarPlay or its own operating system? In that case, it is advisable to buy a phone holder for your car. You can attach the smartphone to this holder, so that you can, for example, make hands-free calls and not risk a fine. Phone holders usually cost twenty euros, which in 2026 will still be much cheaper than the fine for driving with your phone in your hand. View phone holders for the car here, so that you do not run the risk of a traffic fine of 440 euros:
Phone holders from Bol
