Driving in the Netherlands vs. Slovenia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Netherlands and Slovenia, both unique driving customs and regulations come to light. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and rules on alcohol consumption. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey through these beautiful countries.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. |
| 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.
slovenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
slovenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
slovenia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
slovenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
slovenia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | 80 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, fines are often issued directly by police |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
slovenia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
slovenia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
slovenia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
slovenia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
slovenia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovenia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
Signals
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Slovenia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Slovenian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
slovenia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Yes, periodic 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
slovenia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
slovenia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; roadside checks conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Severe fines; varies based on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
slovenia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
slovenia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
slovenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | 1987 for AMZS |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
slovenia:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
slovenia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Slovenia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, €120 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply, €250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline |
| 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
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay