Driving in Bhutan vs. Switzerland: Key Differences Explained
Explore the contrasting road regulations and practices between Bhutan and Switzerland, two unique driving environments. From lane usage to speed limits and alcohol thresholds, this comparison reveals that Bhutan drives on the left, while Switzerland adheres to right-side navigation. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
bhutan:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay