Driving in Liechtenstein vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Liechtenstein and the Netherlands, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact safety and compliance. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol limits. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience while abroad in these fascinating European destinations.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | 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 | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Liechtenstein | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; 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
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Liechtenstein | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | 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 | Required annually | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
liechtenstein:
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
liechtenstein:
Required annually
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | 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 | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Liechtenstein | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
liechtenstein:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | 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
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required