Driving in the Netherlands vs. Serbia: Key Differences
When venturing into the realm of international travel, understanding the driving regulations in the Netherlands and Serbia becomes essential for a secure journey. Notable distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol thresholds, which can significantly impact road safety. This comparison ensures travelers are well-informed to navigate these diverse environments effectively.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
serbia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Serbian; 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
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
serbia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
serbia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay