Driving in Bhutan vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
Embarking on a journey in Bhutan or the Netherlands reveals distinct contrasts in road customs and regulations. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and the presence of specialized lanes, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure experience. Explore the key driving distinctions that can impact your travel in these two unique nations.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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
bhutan:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
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
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
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
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 enforced | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required