Driving in the Netherlands vs. South Korea: A Safety Guide
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for a safe journey. This comparison between the Netherlands and South Korea highlights significant contrasts, such as speed limits, lane markings, and vehicle documentation requirements. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions will enhance your driving experience and promote safety on the roads.
Lanes
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| 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. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| 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.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
south korea:
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.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
south korea:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-110 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
south korea:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
south korea:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
south korea:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay