Driving Differences: El Salvador vs. Netherlands Explained
Explore the fascinating contrasts in road regulations and vehicular norms between El Salvador and the Netherlands. From traffic markings and speed limits to unique protocols for emergency vehicles, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe and compliant journey abroad. Delve into the specifics that set these two countries apart on the road.
Lanes
| El salvador | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
el salvador:
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
el salvador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
el salvador:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 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: 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 | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
el salvador:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
el salvador:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | Not used in Netherlands |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 annual inspection | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
netherlands:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
el salvador:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
el salvador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
netherlands:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required