Driving Differences: Bolivia vs. Sweden Explained
Driving conditions in Bolivia and Sweden present intriguing contrasts that can significantly impact road safety for travelers. Key differences include lane markings, speed limits, and rules for overtaking. While Bolivia allows right turns on red, Sweden enforces stricter measures. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | 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 | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
bolivia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
sweden:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Bolivia | 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 used in Bolivia | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | 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 | Spanish | 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-shaped with red borders | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
bolivia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bolivia:
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
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bolivia:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
sweden:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bolivia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
bolivia:
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
bolivia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
bolivia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bolivia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
bolivia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Bolivia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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 | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for 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
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
bolivia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
bolivia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
bolivia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
bolivia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Bolivia | 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 with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | 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
bolivia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
bolivia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | 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 | 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 side 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
bolivia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bolivia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bolivia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bolivia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
bolivia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
bolivia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bolivia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 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; checkpoints often used | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, 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
bolivia:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bolivia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bolivia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bolivia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | 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
bolivia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
bolivia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
bolivia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
bolivia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
bolivia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
bolivia:
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
| Bolivia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | 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: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in 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 may apply, varies by location | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | 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
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bolivia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bolivia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.