Driving in Argentina vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
When comparing the driving landscapes of Argentina and Switzerland, notable distinctions emerge that are essential for ensuring safe navigation. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations, each country exhibits unique practices. Understanding these variations can significantly enhance your road experience abroad, promoting safer travels in diverse environments.
Lanes
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 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 | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
argentina:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay