Driving in the Netherlands vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Netherlands and Switzerland, understanding the nuances of each nation’s traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and traffic signals, which reflect their unique approaches to road management. Prepare to drive safely wherever your travels take you!
Lanes
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
netherlands:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay