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.

austriaswitzerland

RIGHT

Driving Side

The driving side in austria is the Right Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in austria is 86

1.628 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for austria is 1.628 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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