Driving in India vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts between driving in India and Switzerland. While India follows left-side navigation, Switzerland opts for right-side routes. Discover how speed limits, traffic signals, and road etiquette vary, impacting overall road safety. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure travel experience in either of these diverse nations.
Lanes
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
india:
Left
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
switzerland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
switzerland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
switzerland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
switzerland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
switzerland:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
switzerland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Roundabouts
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
switzerland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
india:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay