Is it just me or am I the only person that seems to get pulled over by the police everytime I drive back to the Netherlands from Antwerp. I usually make the trip by car 3-4 times a year to visit a friend from the states that lives in Antwerp. And it is always when I am with my wife. What gives? We drive a small car. Not a van or SUV. This has happened to me 3 times in the past year. They treat me like a criminal that is trying to smuggle drugs. Until they clear my passport and walk around my car for 10 minutes. I thought that the days of this shit were long over. Anybody else have this issue?

I get it when I go to the UK by ferry so commiserations

I guess your talking coming on the motorway? I live on the border so we use a route from Antwerp that passes straight through our village (half the village is in Belgium, the other half in NL) I was told this was the old route the trucks used to use and thats they there are so many porn shops and bars here??? So I don't think its a slow route this way. Takes about 30 mins from Antwerp to getting on the motorway at Hoogerheide in NL, take a look on the map its an easy route.

I think you are just very unlucky to be honest sorry to say.

Just to make things clear:
1) does your car has a Dutch license plate?
2) are it Belgian or Dutch police officers who stop you? Or are it Customs Officers?

It happened once to me but I have to confess that I was speeding...and I had to pay 360€ ON THE SPOT! Of course I didn't have that cash and they would not accept any other payment. They suggested I walked to the nearest ATM 6 km away to get the money. Fortunately for me, two Dutch ladies present at my ordeal accepted to pay in my place. As soon as I was back home I transfered that money to their account. I'm still very grateful!

Hey
I think mvn is right. He has good knowledge. I hope above suggestion will help you.
All the best!!

Digital Video Editing

I have Dutch plates on my car. And it is Dutch police that stop me with 1 minute of crossing into the netherlands from Belgium. I assume it is Dutch border police looking for drug smugglers. It really sucks and it feels like I am a huge criminal until cleared.

I was never stopped crossing into our out of Holland. I probably cross the border about 10 or 15 times as year. Dunno why they are picking on you. Perhaps you look dodgy....

I was stopped entering Denmark once though, the Dutch plates probably contributed to that. Unfortunately I had forgotten my passport but they let me go after I showed my license. They probably figured that there aren't many drugs smugglers dumb enough not to bring a passport (fake or real).

It just doesn't make any sense that they pick you out since you have a Dutch license plate. It is well known that the drugs are IN The Netherlands and that the foreigners come here to buy it here and export it to their respective countries. Maybe your license plate resembles a little bit the license plate of a missing car or the car of a criminal? If I were you I would ask some information would it happen again...

We've been driving down to the Belgian Ardennes at least 3 times a month for the last 8 years to walk in their beautiful, quiet woods. We have never been stopped. I don't think I've even seen anyone at the border.

We drive to and fro across the border frequently (my in-laws live in Belgium), and we've never been stopped. I can't imagine why they're picking on you! Maybe as someone else has said, your car resembles one belonging to someone they're looking for. Can you borrow someone else's car next time you have to go to Belgium, to test the theory?

I got dutch plates and got pulled over in Germany last week, they made me stand on one leg, keep me eyes closed and touch my nose, asked me if I had smoked a splif etc. Well FRAU Gretschen didnt believe me and had her colleague do another check on me(shining with a flash light in my eyes).

Thank god they only asked for driving license as my passport was expired.

"..they made me stand on one leg, keep me eyes closed and touch my nose..."

Christ, I can't do that when I'm stone-cold sober.

Cow, there is much more that you and I can't do on one leg and with both our eyes closed....

Do you drive VW Golf or a small Peug?
That could be the reason for stopping you, they are the most common means of transportation for the local Arab drug runners.

No..its wasnt a VW or peugeot. But I guess you're right as it wasnt a new flashy German car either (unfortunately )

I wish I had one of these

a wet dream?

Get a Volvo wagon and a labrador, that should keep the costums folks at bay

I did get frisked in Amsterdam on a random search for weapons etc on the street by the cops recently , I hated it and farted while he frisked me, my own act of resistance I guess

Last time I got frisked was at Schipol airport a few years ago. I quite enjoyed it, especially when he went up the inside leg! Oh officer!!!

so funny!

I've been pulled over 2 or 3 times driving from Belgium back into The NL in the past 8 years - but they did not single me out.

They had blocked off the highway such that EVERY car/truck whatever entering The NL had to pull to the side in this ... rest area I think. They asked for my Drivers License and I volunteered my Residence permit or Passport .. whichever was handier.

Then they went into a little trailer - I guess checking me out while I waited in the car. They didn't treat me bad though ... they were polite and friendly. I think they were just doing their job.

After about 5 minutes they returned my papers said I could go on my way. So there were a few cars ahead of me entering back onto the highway - they guide you really because it's hard to tell where to go.

I noticed that a couple of cars were still sitting by the side and the police were going through their stuff so maybe they found something odd about them...