You can practise looking carefully and still miss information if the view through the windscreen is poor. Clear visibility is part of preparation, not an extra task to leave until the road becomes difficult.

I’m Elvis Begic from Rijschool in Maastricht. I teach personal manual driving lessons in English and Dutch in a Volkswagen Golf. We connect vehicle knowledge with practical observation, one manageable step at a time.

What does the RDW require?

The [RDW windscreen-wiper and washer requirements](https://apk-handboek.rdw.nl/personenautos/carrosserie/ruitenwisser--en-ruitensproeierinstallatie) state that a passenger car with a windscreen needs working wipers that provide sufficient visibility. Cars first used after 30 September 1971 also require a working washer system.

The RDW's safety advice recommends checking wipers and washer fluid regularly. An inspection requirement is a baseline; it does not replace noticing a problem before your journey.

Learn the controls while stationary

Before moving off, ask your instructor to demonstrate the relevant controls if you do not know them. Practise identifying the wiper and washer functions without searching around while driving.

The goal is not to memorise the controls of every car. It is to understand the functions and know how to find the instructions for the vehicle you are actually using.

Notice whether the view is genuinely clear

After using the system, ask whether you can see properly—not merely whether something moved. Streaks or a washer that does not spray are reasons to investigate rather than ignore the problem.

Tell your instructor before departure if the view is inadequate. Do not start a lesson hoping that poor visibility will somehow become easier to manage in traffic.

Washer fluid is a separate product

If learning to refill the reservoir, identify the correct reservoir using the vehicle instructions and a demonstration. Do not guess from the colour of a cap.

[Government product-safety guidance](https://waarzitwatin.nl/producten/ruitenwisservloeistof) advises following the product label, keeping washer fluid in its original packaging and out of children's reach. Use any protective equipment specified by the label. This article does not prescribe a mixture or a filling procedure for every vehicle.

Combine visibility with observation

A clear windscreen does not automatically mean good observation. You still need to interpret road users, space and developing situations. Equally, excellent intentions cannot compensate for a view that is not good enough.

Read about lights in rain and fog and vehicle checks using tyre-pressure specifications. Each subject is different, but all begin with understanding rather than guessing.

Personal practice around Maastricht

During manual lessons in Maastricht, we build car control and observation together. Lessons can be discussed from Meerssen, Bunde, Gronsveld and Cadier en Keer, subject to agreed arrangements and current possibilities.

View the current prices or contact Elvis with your experience and preferred language. Availability is confirmed personally; no package guarantees an exam result.

Official RDW and government guidance checked on 1 November 2026. Follow the actual vehicle instructions and product label. This general guide is not a mechanical inspection.