Driving in Australia vs. Liechtenstein: Key Differences
Explore the driving nuances between Australia and Liechtenstein to enhance your journey safety. Key contrasts include driving sides—left in Australia and right in Liechtenstein—as well as speed limits and road markings. Understanding these distinctions ensures a secure and enjoyable experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
liechtenstein:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
liechtenstein:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
liechtenstein:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
liechtenstein:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Roundabouts
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
liechtenstein:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
liechtenstein:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
liechtenstein:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
liechtenstein:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay