Driving in Madagascar vs. Netherlands: Key Differences
Discover the fascinating contrasts between Madagascar and the Netherlands when it comes to road regulations and driving practices. From lane markings to speed limits and traffic signals, this comparison highlights key distinctions that can impact your travel safety abroad. Understanding these variations is essential for a smooth and secure driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | 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 recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
madagascar:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Netherlands |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
netherlands:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
netherlands:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
netherlands:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
netherlands:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
netherlands:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
netherlands:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
netherlands:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required