Colombia vs. Netherlands: Driving Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and the Netherlands, distinct variations in traffic regulations and practices can significantly impact your driving experience. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol thresholds, this comparison reveals essential insights that promote safer travel. Discover how these two nations prioritize road safety in their unique ways.
Lanes
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
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
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
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
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required