Driving in Costa Rica vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
Costa Rica and the Netherlands boast unique road regulations that significantly impact motoring experiences. From lane markings and speed limits to the presence of bus and cycle lanes, these nations differ remarkably in their approach to vehicular conduct. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey while traveling abroad.
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in costa-rica is the Right Side of the road
54
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in costa-rica is 54
1.327 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for costa-rica is 1.327 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
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| Costa rica | 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: Presence | No | Yes | |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes | |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. | |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
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
costa rica:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
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| Costa rica | Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h | |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 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 | Speed limits are generally static. | Electronic signs display current limits | |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes | |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
costa rica:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
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| Costa rica | Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Netherlands | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard | |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
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| Costa rica | Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
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| Costa rica | 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 required | Periodic technical inspection required | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
costa rica:
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
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
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| Costa rica | Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Costa Rica and the Netherlands boast unique road regulations that significantly impact motoring experiences. From lane markings and speed limits to the presence of bus and cycle lanes, these nations differ remarkably in their approach to vehicular conduct. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure journey while traveling abroad.
Alcohol
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| Costa rica | Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% | |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% | |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
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| Costa rica | Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
costa rica:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
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| Costa rica | Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | Call 112 for police assistance | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Penalties And Fines
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| Costa rica | Netherlands | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; can be significant, points on license | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | Fines apply, points on license | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | 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
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required