Driving in Georgia vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Georgia and Sweden, drivers will encounter notable distinctions in regulations and road etiquette that can impact travel safety. From speed limits and traffic signals to lane use and alcohol restrictions, understanding these variations is crucial for a smooth journey. Prepare to navigate these unique driving landscapes with confidence.
Lanes
Georgia | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
georgia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
georgia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
georgia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
georgia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
sweden:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
georgia:
Minimum two or three occupants
sweden:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Georgia | Sweden | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 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 | Yes | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
georgia:
20-40 km/h
sweden:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
georgia:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
110-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
georgia:
100-110 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
90-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
georgia:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
georgia:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
Georgia | 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 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 | Georgian; 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
georgia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
georgia:
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
georgia:
Not used
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
georgia:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
georgia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
georgia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
georgia:
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
georgia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
georgia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
georgia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
georgia:
Georgian; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
georgia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
georgia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
Georgia | Sweden | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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 | Varies by location; check for 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
georgia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
georgia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
georgia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
georgia:
Varies by location; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
georgia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
georgia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
Georgia | 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; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required; proof may be required | Annual inspection required. |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
georgia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
georgia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
georgia:
Required; proof may be required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
georgia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
georgia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
Georgia | 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
georgia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
georgia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
georgia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
georgia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
georgia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
georgia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
georgia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
georgia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
georgia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
Georgia | Sweden | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 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; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies; 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
georgia:
0.03%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
georgia:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
georgia:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
georgia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
georgia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
georgia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
georgia:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
georgia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
georgia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
Georgia | 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
georgia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
georgia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
georgia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
georgia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
georgia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
georgia:
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
Georgia | Sweden | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
georgia:
112
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
georgia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
georgia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
Georgia | Sweden | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 80 to 500 GEL | 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 | 50 GEL | SEK 1500, points on license. |
Common Fines: Phone Use | 10 GEL | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 200 GEL | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; but usually paid later | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | 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
georgia:
Varies; 80 to 500 GEL
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
georgia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
georgia:
50 GEL
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
georgia:
10 GEL
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
georgia:
200 GEL
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
georgia:
Possible; but usually paid later
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
georgia:
Varies; typically within 30 days
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
georgia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
georgia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.