Driving in Germany vs. Liechtenstein: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Germany and Liechtenstein, understanding their distinct driving regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and protocols for emergency vehicles. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances will ensure a smooth and secure experience as you navigate through these European countries.
Lanes
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
germany:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
liechtenstein:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Turns
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
germany:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay