Driving in Bolivia vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between Bolivia and Switzerland. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol limits and emergency protocols, this comparison reveals essential distinctions that can enhance your travel experience. Stay informed to ensure your safety while navigating these diverse terrains.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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. |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
switzerland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
switzerland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | 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
bolivia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
bolivia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in 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 may apply, varies by location | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay