Driving Differences: Netherlands vs Singapore
When exploring the roads of the Netherlands and Singapore, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key contrasts include lane usage—with the Netherlands driving on the right and Singapore on the left—as well as differing speed limits and penalties for infractions. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring safe navigation in both nations.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
netherlands:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Singapore |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Display not required |
| 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
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
netherlands:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
netherlands:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
singapore:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
singapore:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay