Driving Differences: Netherlands vs New Zealand Explained
Discover the unique road cultures of the Netherlands and New Zealand as we delve into their driving regulations and practices. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and approaches to overtaking, all of which are essential for ensuring a secure experience on foreign roads. Stay informed and drive safely wherever your journey takes you!
Lanes
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
netherlands:
Right
new zealand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
netherlands:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay