Driving in the Netherlands vs Russia: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into the world of international motoring, understanding the nuances between the Netherlands and Russia is crucial for a safe journey. From distinct lane markings and differing speed limits to diverse regulations regarding alcohol consumption, this comparison reveals essential contrasts that every traveler should consider. Ensure your travels are secure by staying informed about these driving variations.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| 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
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted; 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; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
russia:
Accepted; 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
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
russia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay