Driving in France vs. Liechtenstein: Key Differences
Driving in France and Liechtenstein presents unique challenges and regulations that travelers should be aware of. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and the presence of bus lanes. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
liechtenstein:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Required annually |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
liechtenstein:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Roundabouts
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
liechtenstein:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| France | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
liechtenstein:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay