Driving in Croatia vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
Discover the key distinctions in road regulations and practices between Croatia and the Netherlands. From speed limits to lane markings, both countries exhibit unique approaches to vehicular operation. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while navigating unfamiliar territories. Equip yourself with the knowledge to drive confidently abroad!
Lanes
| Croatia | 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. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
croatia:
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
croatia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Croatia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Netherlands |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Croatia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
croatia:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Croatia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | 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
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Croatia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Croatia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
croatia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| 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 | Significant fines | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required