Driving in Nepal vs. Netherlands: Key Differences Explained
When driving in Nepal and the Netherlands, motorists encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact road safety. From varying speed limits and lane usage to differing traffic signals and vehicle requirements, understanding these disparities is essential for a secure travel experience. Explore the key contrasts to navigate each country's roads with confidence.
Lanes
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, with caution. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Keep left. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
nepal:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nepal:
Marks the edge of the road.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
nepal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
nepal:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
nepal:
Yes, with caution.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nepal:
Keep left.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
nepal:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
nepal:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nepal:
N/A
netherlands:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nepal:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
nepal:
20-40 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nepal:
20-30 km/h
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
50-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nepal:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
40-60 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
80 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
nepal:
60 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
60 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
nepal:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nepal:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nepal:
Yes, common practice
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Nepal | Not used in Netherlands |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Nepali and English | Dutch; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
nepal:
Yellow
netherlands:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nepal:
Not used in Nepal
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Traffic Signs: Language
nepal:
Nepali and English
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nepal:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
nepal:
Not allowed
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
nepal:
Varies by locality; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 | Mandatory; proof 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
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nepal:
Mandatory; proof required
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
nepal:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nepal:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nepal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
nepal:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Not applicable as underage driving is illegal | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
nepal:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nepal:
Not applicable as underage driving is illegal
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Fines
nepal:
Can be substantial
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
nepal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Signaling: Exiting
nepal:
Signal left when preparing to exit
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
nepal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
netherlands:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
nepal:
100
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
nepal:
100
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
nepal:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
nepal:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nepal | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000 | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common practice | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
nepal:
Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nepal:
NPR 500 to NPR 1,000
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
nepal:
Yes, common practice
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
nepal:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required