Driving Differences: Albania vs. Netherlands
When navigating the roads of Albania and the Netherlands, drivers encounter distinct rules and regulations that impact their journey. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol thresholds. Understanding these unique driving customs is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while exploring these captivating countries.
Lanes
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | 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: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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
albania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
albania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 paid at the scene. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
netherlands:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Alcohol
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
albania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required