Driving in the Netherlands vs. Pakistan: Key Differences
As you prepare for your travels, understanding the variances in road regulations between the Netherlands and Pakistan is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience. From lane usage to speed limits, notable contrasts exist, such as the driving side and alcohol consumption limits. Discover these essential distinctions to navigate foreign roads confidently.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
netherlands:
Right
pakistan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
netherlands:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
pakistan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
pakistan:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
pakistan:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
pakistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
netherlands:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
pakistan:
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
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
netherlands:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
pakistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
pakistan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
pakistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay