Driving in Lebanon vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
When exploring road regulations, understanding the contrasts between Lebanon and the Netherlands is essential for safe travel. Key distinctions include the presence of bus and cycle lanes in the Netherlands, strict speed limits, and traffic signal usage. This comprehensive comparison ensures you navigate with confidence and awareness in each country.
Lanes
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | 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 | 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
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 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: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Netherlands |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
Lebanon | 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 required | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, 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
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used |
Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Call 112 for police assistance |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
Lebanon | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Fines apply, points on license |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines apply, points on license |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required