Driving in Denmark vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Denmark and the Netherlands presents unique regulations and practices that can significantly impact road safety. Notable distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals. Understanding these variations helps ensure a secure experience behind the wheel while traveling abroad. Explore our detailed comparison to navigate the roads confidently in both countries..
Lanes
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
netherlands:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Netherlands |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; 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
denmark:
Used before green.
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
netherlands:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Alcohol
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required