Driving Differences: Netherlands vs. Vanuatu Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads, the Netherlands and Vanuatu present intriguing contrasts. From lane markings and speed regulations to the requirements for documentation, each country has unique rules that impact motorists. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-130 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 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 | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
netherlands:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but 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
vanuatu:
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
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
netherlands:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
netherlands:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay