Driving Differences: Armenia vs. Switzerland Explained
Exploring the driving landscape between Armenia and Switzerland reveals intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety measures. While Armenia permits overtaking on the right, Switzerland enforces stricter protocols. Additionally, speed limits vary significantly, with Switzerland adopting electronic signs for variable limits. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe travel in foreign territories.
Lanes
| Armenia | 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 'BUS'; often with road signs. | 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
armenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
armenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
armenia:
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
armenia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Armenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | Common | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
armenia:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
armenia:
20 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
armenia:
110 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
armenia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
armenia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
armenia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
armenia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
armenia:
Common
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Armenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Armenia | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Armenian; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
armenia:
Not used in Armenia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
armenia:
Unnecessary use discouraged
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
armenia:
Armenian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
armenia:
Triangular-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Armenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
armenia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Armenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
armenia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
armenia:
Annual inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
armenia:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Armenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
armenia:
Pull over and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Armenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 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: General Drivers
armenia:
0.04%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
armenia:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
armenia:
Common
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
armenia:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
armenia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Armenia | 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
armenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
armenia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Armenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 104 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
armenia:
911
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
armenia:
104
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
armenia:
Check with your insurance provider
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
armenia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Armenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | 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
armenia:
Varies; fines and points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
armenia:
Varies; fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
armenia:
Fines applied
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
armenia:
Fines applied, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
armenia:
Common
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
armenia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay