Driving in the Netherlands vs. Saudi Arabia: Key Differences
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia, where unique regulations and road practices impact safety on the go. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol restrictions and emergency services, understanding these nuances is vital for a secure journey abroad. Prepare to navigate these diverse environments with confidence!
Lanes
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
saudi arabia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
No
saudi arabia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
saudi arabia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 120-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
saudi arabia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
saudi arabia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
Signals
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Saudi Arabia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
saudi arabia:
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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use for communication on the road |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, random checkpoints are used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Substantial; possible imprisonment |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Frequent for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
saudi arabia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
Enforcement: Imprisonment
netherlands:
Possible for severe offenses
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
saudi arabia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
saudi arabia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
saudi arabia:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Saudi arabia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer |
| 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay