Driving in Belgium vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Belgium and the Netherlands, understanding the nuances in regulations is crucial for safe travel. From lane markings and speed limitations to traffic signals and penalties, these neighboring countries exhibit notable variations. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions will enhance your driving experience and ensure a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific 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
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | 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 | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
belgium:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required