Driving in Ireland vs Netherlands: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique road regulations and practices in Ireland and the Netherlands, crucial for ensuring safe travels abroad. This comparison highlights distinct aspects such as driving sides, speed limits, and traffic signals, emphasizing the importance of understanding these variations to navigate each country confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
ireland:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ireland:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Netherlands |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
netherlands:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
ireland:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
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
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
ireland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €60 fine and two penalty points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required