Driving in Afghanistan vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of vehicular regulations is essential for a safe journey. This comparison between Afghanistan and the Netherlands reveals significant contrasts, from lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols. With unique guidelines in each country, this guide ensures you are well-prepared for your travels.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
afghanistan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
afghanistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required