Driving in Chile vs. Switzerland: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Chile and Switzerland, you'll encounter distinct rules and practices that shape the driving experience. From speed limits to lane usage, each country emphasizes unique aspects of road safety. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey while abroad, so let's explore what sets these nations apart.
Lanes
| Chile | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless 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: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
chile:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Chile | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Chile | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Chile | 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 | Required annually | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Chile | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
chile:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Chile | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning 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
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
chile:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Chile | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
chile:
133
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay