Driving in the Netherlands vs. Samoa: Key Safety Differences
When embarking on a journey through the roads of the Netherlands and Samoa, understanding the key distinctions in traffic regulations is essential for a safe and smooth experience. Notable variances include driving sides—right in the Netherlands and left in Samoa—as well as differing speed limits and lane usage rules, making awareness crucial for every traveler.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | N/A |
| 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
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
netherlands:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Not allowed |
| 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
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on 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
samoa:
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
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| 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
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay