Driving in Denmark vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations between Denmark and Switzerland, two countries known for their strict driving standards. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol restrictions, this comparison sheds light on essential variations that ensure safe travel. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for any driver navigating abroad.
Lanes
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Prepare to go |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
switzerland:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
switzerland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | 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 | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
denmark:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
denmark:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
denmark:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay