Driving in Latvia vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the road practices of Latvia and Sweden, distinct contrasts emerge that impact traveler safety. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a secure driving experience in each country, as their rules and etiquette differ considerably.
Lanes
| Latvia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left 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 Right | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| 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.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
latvia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
latvia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
latvia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
latvia:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
latvia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Latvia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | Common; fines are often issued immediately | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
latvia:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
latvia:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
latvia:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
latvia:
90 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
latvia:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Latvia | 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 Latvia | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and 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 | Latvian; 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 | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
latvia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
latvia:
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
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
latvia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
latvia:
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
latvia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
latvia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
latvia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
latvia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Latvia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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 | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | 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
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
latvia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
latvia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
latvia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
latvia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Latvia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
latvia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
latvia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
latvia:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Latvia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | 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 | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right 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
latvia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
latvia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
latvia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
latvia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
latvia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
latvia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
latvia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
latvia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Latvia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 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, especially on weekends | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies based on BAC | 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 and fines | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
latvia:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
latvia:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
latvia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
latvia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
latvia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
latvia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Latvia | 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
latvia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
latvia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
latvia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
latvia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
latvia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
latvia:
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
| Latvia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: Traffic Police
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
latvia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
latvia:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Latvia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40, fines vary | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €10 to €30, fines vary | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €70, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be settled at the time | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 10 to 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
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
latvia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
latvia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.