Driving Differences: Germany vs. Sweden Uncovered
Driving in Germany and Sweden reveals fascinating contrasts in road regulations and safety practices. From distinct lane markings to varied speed limits, these two countries present unique rules for motorists. Understanding these nuances not only enhances your travel experience but also ensures greater security while navigating their roads.
Lanes
| Germany | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | 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 | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
germany:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Common | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Germany | 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 | Indicates the light is about to change to green | 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 | German; 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 | Triangle-shaped with red border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
germany:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
germany:
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
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
germany:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
germany:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
germany:
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
germany:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
germany:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
germany:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
germany:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Germany | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | 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 | Prohibited in many areas; 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
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
germany:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
germany:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
germany:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
germany:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Germany | 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; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| 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. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
germany:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
germany:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Germany | 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 | Move to the side 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
germany:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
germany:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
germany:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
germany:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
germany:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
germany:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
germany:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Germany | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 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 | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | 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
germany:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
germany:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
germany:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
germany:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
germany:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Germany | 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
germany:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
germany:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
germany:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
germany:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
germany:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
germany:
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
| Germany | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | 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
germany:
110
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | 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 | €30 to €60 | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks 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
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
germany:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
germany:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.