Driving Differences: Netherlands vs Slovakia Explained
When navigating the roads in the Netherlands and Slovakia, understanding the distinct regulations and practices can significantly enhance your travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol restrictions. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures safer journeys and a smoother adaptation to each country's unique driving culture.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
slovakia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 130 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: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
slovakia:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; 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
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
slovakia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay