Driving in Cambodia vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
When comparing road regulations in Cambodia and Sweden, significant contrasts emerge that impact traveler safety. From lane markings to speed limits, Cambodia's lenient overtaking rules differ markedly from Sweden's stringent traffic enforcement. This guide explores these distinctions, arming drivers with essential knowledge for safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Cambodia | 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
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
cambodia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
cambodia:
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
cambodia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
70 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
90 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Cambodia | 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 | N/A | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | 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 | Khmer and English; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
cambodia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
cambodia:
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
cambodia:
N/A
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cambodia:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cambodia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
cambodia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
cambodia:
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
cambodia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
cambodia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cambodia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
cambodia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Cambodia | 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 | Varies, 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
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
cambodia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
cambodia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
cambodia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
cambodia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Cambodia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
cambodia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
cambodia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | 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 as means of communication | 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 right 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
cambodia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
cambodia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cambodia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
cambodia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
cambodia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
cambodia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
cambodia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Cambodia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 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 used | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and 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
cambodia:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
cambodia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
cambodia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cambodia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
cambodia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Cambodia | 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
cambodia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
cambodia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
cambodia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
cambodia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
cambodia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
cambodia:
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
| Cambodia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
cambodia:
119
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are substantial | 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 | Varies; penalties applied | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | 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
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
cambodia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
cambodia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.