Driving in the Netherlands vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When traversing the roads of the Netherlands versus the United Kingdom, understanding their distinct regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key disparities include driving on the right in the Netherlands and the left in the UK, as well as varying speed limits and lane usages. Navigate confidently by familiarizing yourself with these essential guidelines.
Lanes
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
Driving Side
netherlands:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
netherlands:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
netherlands:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
netherlands:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
netherlands:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
netherlands:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
netherlands:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
netherlands:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
netherlands:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay