Driving in Indonesia vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Indonesia and Switzerland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact safety and overall experience. From lane usage and speed limits to emergency protocols and traffic signals, understanding these disparities is vital for a secure journey abroad. Explore how these two countries differ in their approach to road etiquette, enforcement, and vehicle documentation.
Lanes
| Indonesia | 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 | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
indonesia:
Left
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
indonesia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
indonesia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Indonesia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Indonesia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; 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: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | 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
indonesia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
indonesia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay