Driving in Liechtenstein vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
Exploring the unique driving regulations of Liechtenstein and Switzerland reveals significant distinctions that can impact road safety. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol enforcement, each country offers unique rules that drivers must understand. Prepare for your travels by familiarizing yourself with these essential differences to ensure a smooth and secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.08%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
liechtenstein:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
liechtenstein:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
liechtenstein:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay