Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
Traveling from Antigua and Barbuda to the Netherlands? Understanding the driving landscape is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left versus right, varying speed limits, and unique road markings. This comparison highlights essential regulations to help ensure your driving experience abroad is both secure and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
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
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
netherlands:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Netherlands |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
netherlands:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | 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
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
antigua and barbuda:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local 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: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | 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 | $25 to $200, points in some cases | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required