Driving in Australia vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Australia and Sweden, understanding their unique traffic regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, differing speed limits in urban areas, and unique lane usage rules. By familiarizing yourself with these variations, you can ensure a secure driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Australia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | 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 | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
sweden:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
australia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
sweden:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
sweden:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
sweden:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Australia | 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 commonly used. | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and 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 | English; 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]
australia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
australia:
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
australia:
Not commonly used.
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
australia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
australia:
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
australia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
australia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
australia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
australia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Australia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | 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
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
australia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
australia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
australia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
australia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Australia | 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 for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
australia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
australia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Australia | 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 to the left 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
australia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
australia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
australia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
australia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
australia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
australia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
australia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Australia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 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; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; 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
australia:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
australia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
australia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
australia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Australia | 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 right if intending to turn immediately | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left 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 left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
australia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
australia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
australia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Australia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | 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 | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 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
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
australia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
australia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.