Driving in El Salvador vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between El Salvador and Switzerland. From speed limits and lane markings to the treatment of emergency vehicles, each country presents unique traffic norms. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| El salvador | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
el salvador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
el salvador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
el salvador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
el salvador:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
el salvador:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
el salvador:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| El salvador | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | Prepare to go |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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 | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
switzerland:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| El salvador | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| El salvador | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 annual inspection | 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: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
el salvador:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
el salvador:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| El salvador | 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
el salvador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
el salvador:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| El salvador | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay