Driving in Georgia vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the diverse road rules of Georgia and Switzerland, it's essential to grasp their unique regulations for a secure driving experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, overtaking practices, and the use of traffic signals. Understanding these variations will help ensure your journey abroad is both safe and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Georgia | 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. |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
georgia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
georgia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
georgia:
Yes
switzerland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
georgia:
Minimum two or three occupants
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Georgia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
georgia:
20-40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
georgia:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
110-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
georgia:
100-110 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
90-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
georgia:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Georgia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Georgian; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
georgia:
Not used
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
georgia:
Georgian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
georgia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Georgia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
georgia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
georgia:
Varies by location; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Georgia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required; proof may be required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
georgia:
Required; proof may be required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
georgia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Georgia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; 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: General Drivers
georgia:
0.03%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
georgia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
georgia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
georgia:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
georgia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Georgia | 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
georgia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
georgia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Georgia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
georgia:
112
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
georgia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Georgia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 80 to 500 GEL | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 50 GEL | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 10 GEL | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 200 GEL | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; but usually paid later | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
georgia:
Varies; 80 to 500 GEL
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
georgia:
50 GEL
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
georgia:
10 GEL
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
georgia:
200 GEL
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
georgia:
Possible; but usually paid later
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
georgia:
Varies; typically within 30 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay