Driving in Latvia vs. Liechtenstein: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Latvia and Liechtenstein, distinct variations in regulations and practices emerge. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring safe journeys. Discover how driving norms differ, particularly in terms of overtaking rules and alcohol limits, to drive confidently in these unique countries.
Lanes
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
latvia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
latvia:
Yes
liechtenstein:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
liechtenstein:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
liechtenstein:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
No
liechtenstein:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Signals
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Latvia | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Latvian; symbols are standard | German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required annually |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
liechtenstein:
Required annually
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
liechtenstein:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Latvia | 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, especially on weekends | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | Heavy fines; varies by severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
liechtenstein:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
liechtenstein:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact insurance company or local service providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
liechtenstein:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Liechtenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Heavy fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
liechtenstein:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay