Driving in Mexico vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road rules and regulations between Mexico and the Netherlands. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol consumption and emergency services, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that can influence your safety on foreign roads. Equip yourself with the knowledge needed for confident driving abroad!
Lanes
| Mexico | 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
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
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100-130 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, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
mexico:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | 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
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
mexico:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | 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: General Emergency
mexico:
911
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required