Driving in Liechtenstein vs. Sweden: Key Differences
Welcome to our driving comparison between Liechtenstein and Sweden! Discover key distinctions in traffic regulations, speed limits, and road etiquette that can affect your journey. While Liechtenstein emphasizes strict lane markings and speed enforcement, Sweden focuses on pedestrian rights and lower alcohol limits, ensuring a safer experience for all road users.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
liechtenstein:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 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 | 120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 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 | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Liechtenstein | 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 | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | 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 | German; 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 border | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
liechtenstein:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
liechtenstein:
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
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
liechtenstein:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
liechtenstein:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
liechtenstein:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
liechtenstein:
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
liechtenstein:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
liechtenstein:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
liechtenstein:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
liechtenstein:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Liechtenstein | 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 | Permitted unless prohibited by 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
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
liechtenstein:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
liechtenstein:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
liechtenstein:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Required annually | 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
liechtenstein:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
liechtenstein:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Liechtenstein | 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 crosswalks | 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
liechtenstein:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
liechtenstein:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
liechtenstein:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
liechtenstein:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
liechtenstein:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
liechtenstein:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
liechtenstein:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
liechtenstein:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; 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 used to deter drunk driving | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | 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
liechtenstein:
0.08%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
liechtenstein:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
liechtenstein:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
liechtenstein:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
liechtenstein:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Liechtenstein | 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
liechtenstein:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
liechtenstein:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
liechtenstein:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
liechtenstein:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
liechtenstein:
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
| Liechtenstein | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | 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
liechtenstein:
117
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | 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
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
liechtenstein:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
liechtenstein:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
liechtenstein:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.