Driving in Colombia vs Switzerland: Key Differences Revealed
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Switzerland, it's crucial to understand the distinct regulations and practices that govern each nation’s transportation system. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol consumption guidelines, this comparison highlights key contrasts in driving norms and road safety, ensuring travelers remain informed and secure on their journeys.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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 | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Colombia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Colombia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | 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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Colombia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Roundabouts
| Colombia | 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
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
colombia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay