Driving in Australia vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Australia and the Netherlands, understanding the key distinctions in their traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Notably, Australians drive on the left, while Dutch motorists adhere to the right. Moreover, speed limits vary significantly, with Australia allowing higher speeds on highways. Explore these and other essential variations for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
netherlands:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
netherlands:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 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 | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Netherlands |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Turns
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | 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
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Australia | 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
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
netherlands:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | 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
australia:
000
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required