Driving Differences: Barbados vs. Netherlands Explained
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Barbados and the Netherlands in this insightful comparison. While Barbados adheres to left-side navigation, the Netherlands opts for right-side travel. Moreover, speed limits and road etiquette significantly vary, highlighting essential considerations for ensuring safe journeys in each nation. Navigate these contrasts to drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | 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 | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Possible in some cases | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Turns
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | 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
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Barbados | 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 |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
barbados:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
netherlands:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 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
barbados:
211 or 911
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | 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 | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required