Driving in France vs. Sweden: Essential Safety Tips
When it comes to navigating the roads of France and Sweden, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. From speed limits and lane markings to signaling at roundabouts, this comparison highlights key variations that can impact your driving experience abroad. Explore the unique road etiquette and requirements in these two captivating countries.
Lanes
| France | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | 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 | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
france:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Speeds Limits
| France | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 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 | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| France | 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 in France | Not common in Sweden. |
| 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 | 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 | French; 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 | Triangular with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
france:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
france:
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
france:
Not used in France
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
france:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
france:
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
france:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
france:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
france:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
france:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| France | 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 if not specifically 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
france:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
france:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
france:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
france:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
france:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| France | 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 for short visits | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
france:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
france:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| France | 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 | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | 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 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
france:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
france:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
france:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
france:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
france:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
france:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
france:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| France | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 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; checkpoints used regularly | 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
france:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
france:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
france:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
france:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| France | 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 when entering if turning right | 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
france:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
france:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
france:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
france:
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
| France | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 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
france:
17 or through local police
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| France | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | 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
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
france:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
france:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.