Austria vs Netherlands: Key Driving Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Austria and the Netherlands. From lane markings to speed limits, these two countries exhibit unique approaches to vehicular governance. Discover how rules on overtaking, traffic signaling, and alcohol limits can impact your journey, ensuring a safer driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Netherlands |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | 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 | Yes, proof may be required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
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
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
austria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required