Driving in the Netherlands vs. United Arab Emirates
Driving regulations can vary significantly across borders, and understanding these nuances is vital for safe travel. In this comparison, we explore the distinct road rules and practices between the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol regulations, highlighting the importance of awareness when navigating new environments.
Lanes
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Marks the left edge on some 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. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
united arab emirates:
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.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
netherlands:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Bus Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted with 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 with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
united arab emirates:
Accepted with 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
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Alcohol
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
united arab emirates:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay