Driving in the Netherlands vs. Tanzania: Key Differences
Discover the unique driving customs of the Netherlands and Tanzania as we explore vital distinctions that impact road safety. From lane usage and speed limits to the protocols for emergency vehicles, understanding these variations is crucial for a secure experience on foreign roads. Prepare for your journey with this essential comparison!
Lanes
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
netherlands:
Right
tanzania:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
tanzania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
netherlands:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tanzania:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
tanzania:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tanzania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
tanzania:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
tanzania:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tanzania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
tanzania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
tanzania:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Tanzania |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English and Swahili; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
tanzania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Required annually |
| 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
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
tanzania:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
tanzania:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate usage compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tanzania:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Significant fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
tanzania:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
tanzania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
tanzania:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
tanzania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
tanzania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
tanzania:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
tanzania:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Tanzania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; penalties can be severe |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Penalties enforced |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Common |
| 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
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tanzania:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
tanzania:
Common
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay