Driving Differences: Italy vs. Liechtenstein Explained
Driving in Italy and Liechtenstein presents unique contrasts that every traveler should understand. From speed limits—90 km/h in Italy versus 80 km/h in Liechtenstein—to the presence of bus lanes and traffic regulations, these distinctions are crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your road experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Italy | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
liechtenstein:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Italy | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Italy | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Italy | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Italy | 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; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Italy | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay