Driving Differences: Argentina vs. Netherlands Explained
Driving in Argentina and the Netherlands presents distinct regulations and practices that every traveler should understand for optimal safety. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic signals and documentation requirements, these countries showcase unique approaches to road etiquette. Being aware of these variations is essential for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Argentina | 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: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
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
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Turns
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated 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
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | 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
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | 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
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required