Driving in the Netherlands vs. Spain: Key Differences
When traveling through the Netherlands or Spain, understanding their unique road regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions arise in lane markings, speed limits, and emergency protocols. For instance, while the Dutch emphasize solid white lines and lower urban speeds, Spaniards employ yellow markings and higher limits on rural roads. Navigate wisely!
Lanes
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
spain:
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.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay