Driving in Liechtenstein vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Driving in Liechtenstein and the United Kingdom presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. From lane usage and speed limits to the nuances of road etiquette and emergency procedures, this comparison reveals significant distinctions that can impact safety on your journey. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will ensure a smoother, more secure experience abroad.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
Driving Side
liechtenstein:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
liechtenstein:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
liechtenstein:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
liechtenstein:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
liechtenstein:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
liechtenstein:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| 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
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
liechtenstein:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
liechtenstein:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
liechtenstein:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
liechtenstein:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
liechtenstein:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay