Driving in Cuba vs. Netherlands: Key Differences Explained
Understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for safe travel, especially when comparing driving practices in Cuba and the Netherlands. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes. While Cuba's rules may vary significantly, the Netherlands emphasizes structure and order on the roads, ensuring a safer journey for all.
Lanes
| Cuba | 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 typical; follow local rules and signs. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost 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 | Rare | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | 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
cuba:
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
cuba:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
netherlands:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cuba:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cuba:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 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 | 50-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
cuba:
40-50 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cuba:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Cuba | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cuba | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
cuba:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Cuba | 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 | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cuba:
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
cuba:
Annual inspection required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cuba:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Cuba | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Cuba | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
cuba:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required