Driving in Argentina vs. Sweden: Key Differences Revealed
Exploring the nuances of road regulations in Argentina and Sweden reveals significant contrasts that can impact your travel experience. From lane markings to speed limits, understanding these variations ensures safer journeys abroad. Notably, Sweden employs electronic speed indicators and stricter alcohol limits, while Argentina offers more flexibility in overtaking. Discover these essential driving distinctions for a secure adventure.
Lanes
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
argentina:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
argentina:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
argentina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
argentina:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
argentina:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
argentina:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
argentina:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
argentina:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
argentina:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
argentina:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
argentina:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
argentina:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
argentina:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
argentina:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
argentina:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
argentina:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
argentina:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
argentina:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
argentina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
argentina:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
argentina:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
argentina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
argentina:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
argentina:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
argentina:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
argentina:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
argentina:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
argentina:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
argentina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
argentina:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
argentina:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
argentina:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
argentina:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.