Driving in the Netherlands vs. Tunisia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Netherlands and Tunisia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key highlights include the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in the Netherlands, contrasted with Tunisia's more lenient overtaking rules. Understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in each country.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | N/A |
| 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.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
tunisia:
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.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted; 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; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
tunisia:
Accepted; 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
netherlands:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
tunisia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay