Driving in Croatia vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
When embarking on a road trip through Croatia or Sweden, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, traffic signals, and lane usage. While Croatia permits higher speeds on highways, Sweden emphasizes stricter alcohol limits. Navigate with confidence by familiarizing yourself with these vital differences.
Lanes
| Croatia | 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 | Not commonly practiced. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | 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
croatia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
croatia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
croatia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 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 | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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
croatia:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
croatia:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Croatia | 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 | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and 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 | Croatian; 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 | Triangle with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
croatia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
croatia:
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
croatia:
Not used
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
croatia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
croatia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
croatia:
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
croatia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
croatia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
croatia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
croatia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Croatia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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 | Allowed unless prohibited by 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
croatia:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
croatia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
croatia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
croatia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
croatia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Croatia | 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 temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | 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 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
croatia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
croatia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | 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 | Less 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 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
croatia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
croatia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
croatia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
croatia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
croatia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
croatia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
croatia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
croatia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
croatia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Croatia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 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 | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
croatia:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
croatia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
croatia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
croatia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
croatia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Croatia | 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
croatia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
croatia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
croatia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
croatia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
croatia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
croatia:
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
| Croatia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | 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: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | 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 enforced | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | 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
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
croatia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
croatia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.