Driving in Armenia vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the driving landscape in Armenia and Sweden reveals intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and signaling protocols. While Armenia permits right turns on red, Sweden enforces stricter rules. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Armenia | 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 'BUS'; often with road signs. | 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
armenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
armenia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
armenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
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
armenia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
armenia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
armenia:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
armenia:
20 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
70 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
110 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
90 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
armenia:
Common
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Armenia | 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 Armenia | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | 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 | Armenian; 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 | Triangular-shaped with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
armenia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
armenia:
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
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
armenia:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
armenia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
armenia:
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
armenia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
armenia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
armenia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
armenia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Armenia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by 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
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
armenia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
armenia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
armenia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
armenia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Armenia | 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; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | 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
armenia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
armenia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | 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 | Less frequent use compared to some countries | 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 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
armenia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
armenia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
armenia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
armenia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
armenia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
armenia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
armenia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
armenia:
Pull over and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
armenia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Armenia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 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
armenia:
0.04%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
armenia:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
armenia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
armenia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
armenia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
armenia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Armenia | 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
armenia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
armenia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
armenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
armenia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
armenia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
armenia:
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
| Armenia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
armenia:
911
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
armenia:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
armenia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | 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 | Varies; fines apply | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | 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
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
armenia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
armenia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
armenia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
armenia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.