Driving in the Netherlands vs. Senegal: Key Differences
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between the Netherlands and Senegal. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol tolerance and enforcement measures, understanding these key distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Prepare yourself for a smooth ride by familiarizing with the unique rules of each country.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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. |
| 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.
senegal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
senegal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
senegal:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
senegal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
senegal:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
senegal:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
senegal:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
senegal:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
senegal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
senegal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
senegal:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
senegal:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
senegal:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Senegal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
senegal:
Not used in Senegal
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
senegal:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
senegal:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Not commonly allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
senegal:
Not commonly allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
senegal:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
senegal:
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
senegal:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
senegal:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
senegal:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
senegal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
senegal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
netherlands:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
senegal:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| 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 | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
senegal:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
senegal:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
senegal:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
senegal:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
senegal:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
senegal:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 18 or 17 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 17 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
senegal:
18 or 17
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
senegal:
17
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
senegal:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
senegal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Senegal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | 10,000 CFA |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; significant fines |
| 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; often required immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 7 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
senegal:
Varies; 10,000 CFA to 50,000 CFA
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
senegal:
10,000 CFA
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
senegal:
Varies; significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
senegal:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
senegal:
Yes; often required immediately
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
senegal:
Varies; typically 7 to 30 days