Driving in the Netherlands vs. Turkey: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Netherlands and Turkey, understanding unique driving regulations is essential for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the use of emergency equipment. By familiarizing yourself with these variances, travelers can navigate both countries with confidence and peace of mind.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
turkey:
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.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
turkey:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges