Kuwait vs. Netherlands: Key Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Kuwait and the Netherlands, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their experience. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Explore how these two nations prioritize road safety and what travelers should keep in mind while driving abroad.
Lanes
| Kuwait | 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. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
kuwait:
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
kuwait:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kuwait:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 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 | 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Kuwait | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kuwait | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Kuwait | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | 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 the vehicle | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
netherlands:
Possible for severe offenses
Roundabouts
| Kuwait | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
kuwait:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | 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: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required