Driving in Monaco vs. Netherlands: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the unique road regulations of Monaco and the Netherlands, significant distinctions emerge. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol policies, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. This comparison highlights essential driving practices that every traveler should be aware of before hitting the road.
Lanes
Monaco | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Monaco. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Monaco. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited, mostly on main roads | Yes |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Predominantly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled ‘BUS’. | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with small vehicles or buses. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. | 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 | Standard speed limits apply | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
monaco:
Limited
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
monaco:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
monaco:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Monaco | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | N/A | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | N/A | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | N/A | 80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | N/A | 100-130 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | N/A | 80-100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | N/A | 80-100 km/h |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Standard speed limits apply | Electronic signs display current limits |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for traffic violations | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
monaco:
N/A
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
monaco:
N/A
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
monaco:
N/A
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
monaco:
N/A
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
monaco:
N/A
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
monaco:
N/A
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
monaco:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
Monaco | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Rare in Monaco, usually not used | Not used in Netherlands |
Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
netherlands:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Monaco | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
U- Turns Allowed | Permitted where indicated; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
monaco:
Prohibited
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
Monaco | 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 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; proof may be required | Periodic technical inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
monaco:
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
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
monaco:
Recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
monaco:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Alcohol
Monaco | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used |
Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by severity | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Underage Drivers
monaco:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
Monaco | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
monaco:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
Monaco | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 18 | 112 |
Contact: Traffic Police | Local police also available on 911 using GSM | Call 112 for police assistance |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through service providers or insurance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
monaco:
112 or 18
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
monaco:
Recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
monaco:
Mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
Monaco | Netherlands | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are substantial | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine applies if not used | Fines apply, points on license |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Substantial fines issued | Fines apply, points on license |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | High fines, points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; varies | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be settled soon | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
monaco:
High fines, points on license
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
monaco:
Possible; varies
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required