Driving in Japan vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the diverse roads of Japan and Sweden, understanding their unique regulations is essential for safe navigation. Key disparities include driving sides—left in Japan and right in Sweden—as well as varied speed limits and lane usage. This guide highlights vital distinctions to ensure a secure and informed driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Japan | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | 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 | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
sweden:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
japan:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
sweden:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
japan:
40-50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Japan | 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 | Not used in Japan | 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 | Japanese with some bilingual signs; 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
japan:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
japan:
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
japan:
Not used in Japan
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
japan:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
japan:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
japan:
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
japan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
japan:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
japan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
japan:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Japan | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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 | Varies by locality; 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
japan:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
japan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
japan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
japan:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
japan:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Japan | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
japan:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
japan:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | 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 | Generally used sparingly | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left 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
japan:
To warn of hazards
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
japan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
japan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
japan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
japan:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
japan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
japan:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Japan | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 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; checkpoints may be set up | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | 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
japan:
0.03%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
japan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
japan:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
japan:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
japan:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Japan | 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
japan:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
japan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
japan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
japan:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
japan:
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
| Japan | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | 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
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
japan:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
japan:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.