Driving in Austria vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Austria and Sweden, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions arise in lane markings, speed limits, and signaling protocols. With Austria's stricter overtaking rules and Sweden's lower alcohol limits, familiarizing yourself with these disparities can enhance your travel experience and promote safer driving abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | 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 | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
austria:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Austria | 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 | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | 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 | German; 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 with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
austria:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
austria:
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
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
austria:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
austria:
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
austria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
austria:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
austria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
austria:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Austria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | 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 | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | 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
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
austria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
austria:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
austria:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
austria:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Austria | 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 not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
austria:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
austria:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Austria | 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 right 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
austria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
austria:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
austria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
austria:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
austria:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
austria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
austria:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Austria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 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 | Substantial; varies by offense | 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
austria:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
austria:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
austria:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
austria:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Austria | 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
austria:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
austria:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
austria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
austria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
austria:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
austria:
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
| Austria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 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: Traffic Police
austria:
133
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, 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 | Fines apply | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, 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 14 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
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
austria:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
austria:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.