Driving in the Netherlands vs. Thailand: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Netherlands and Thailand, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journeys. Key disparities include driving sides, speed limits, and traffic etiquette. While the Netherlands emphasizes structured lane usage, Thailand presents a more flexible approach. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 |
| 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 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
netherlands:
Right
thailand:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
thailand:
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.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
thailand:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted for short visits; 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; 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
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
thailand:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
netherlands:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days