Driving Differences: Estonia vs. Netherlands Explained
When traversing the roads of Estonia and the Netherlands, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. While both nations prioritize road safety, notable distinctions arise in speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol regulations. This guide explores these essential variations to help travelers navigate confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Estonia | 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
estonia:
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
estonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Estonia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
netherlands:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Turns
| Estonia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated 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
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Estonia | 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 | Required every year; proof must be carried | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
estonia:
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
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Estonia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Estonia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
estonia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required