Driving Differences: Netherlands vs. Norway Revealed
When traversing the roads of the Netherlands and Norway, understanding their distinct vehicular regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol thresholds. While the Netherlands embraces higher speed limits, Norway enforces stricter alcohol regulations, reflecting their unique approaches to road safety. Navigate wisely!
Lanes
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | None |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
norway:
None
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
norway:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay