Driving Differences: Kenya vs. Netherlands Safety Tips
When it comes to navigating the roads of Kenya and the Netherlands, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that are essential for ensuring safe travels. From the driving side and lane usage to speed limits and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad. Explore these vital distinctions to promote road safety during your journey.
Lanes
| Kenya | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, allow passing on the right. | 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: 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 | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| 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
kenya:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kenya:
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
kenya:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
kenya:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kenya:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
kenya:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kenya:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kenya:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kenya:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kenya | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-130 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kenya:
50 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kenya:
100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kenya:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kenya:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kenya:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kenya:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Kenya | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Kenya | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Turns
| Kenya | 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
kenya:
Not allowed.
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Kenya | 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 | Annual inspection required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kenya:
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
kenya:
Annual inspection required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Kenya | 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
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kenya | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
kenya:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kenya:
0.05%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Kenya | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or adjacent exits | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
kenya:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Signaling: Exiting
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
netherlands:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Kenya | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 911 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
kenya:
999 or 112
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
kenya:
999 or 911
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kenya | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | KES 500 to KES 2,000 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | KES 10,000 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems | 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
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kenya:
KES 10,000
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kenya:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required