Driving Differences: Guatemala vs. Netherlands Explained
Discover the unique driving regulations between Guatemala and the Netherlands as we explore their distinctive road rules and safety measures. While Guatemala features solid yellow lines and varied speed limits, the Netherlands prioritizes organized bus lanes and electronic speed indicators. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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: 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 | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | 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
guatemala:
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
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Guatemala | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Netherlands |
| 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | 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; proof may be required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
guatemala:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 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: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required