Driving in the Netherlands vs. South Africa: Key Differences
Discover the fascinating contrasts between driving in the Netherlands and South Africa. From lane regulations and speed limits to road etiquette and emergency protocols, this comparison reveals essential variations that impact travel safety. Understanding these critical disparities ensures a smoother and more secure driving experience in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
netherlands:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
netherlands:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 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, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
south africa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted if driving temporarily; 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 if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay