Driving in Austria vs Switzerland: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and vehicular norms between Austria and Switzerland. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol restrictions and emergency contacts, this comparison sheds light on essential distinctions that ensure safe travels. Whether navigating urban areas or rural landscapes, understanding these variances is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Prepare to go |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
switzerland:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Austria | 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
austria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
austria:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay