Driving in Luxembourg vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
When venturing into Luxembourg or Switzerland, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is vital for a secure journey. While Luxembourg embraces straightforward speed limits and relaxed overtaking rules, Switzerland emphasizes stricter lane usage and alcohol limits. Discover the key distinctions that will ensure your travel remains smooth and safe in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Luxembourg | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not typically used. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used. | 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
luxembourg:
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: Markings
luxembourg:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
luxembourg:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Luxembourg | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 75 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 75 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
luxembourg:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
luxembourg:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
luxembourg:
75 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
luxembourg:
75 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
luxembourg:
130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
luxembourg:
90 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
luxembourg:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
luxembourg:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Luxembourg | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Luxembourg | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
luxembourg:
Not used in Luxembourg
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
luxembourg:
French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
luxembourg:
Triangular with red borders
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Luxembourg | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
luxembourg:
Not typically allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
luxembourg:
Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Luxembourg | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must have a valid national license | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; regular intervals | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
luxembourg:
Accepted; must have a valid national license
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
luxembourg:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
luxembourg:
Mandatory; regular intervals
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
luxembourg:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
luxembourg:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Luxembourg | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
luxembourg:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
luxembourg:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
luxembourg:
Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
luxembourg:
Can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
luxembourg:
Results in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Luxembourg | 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
luxembourg:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
luxembourg:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Luxembourg | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or automobile club | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
luxembourg:
113
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
luxembourg:
Contact your insurance provider or automobile club
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
luxembourg:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Luxembourg | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €145 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €145 | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; severe penalties | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines often collected immediately | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually a specific period | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
luxembourg:
Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
luxembourg:
Up to €145
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
luxembourg:
Up to €145
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
luxembourg:
Varies; severe penalties
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
luxembourg:
Yes; fines often collected immediately
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
luxembourg:
Varies; usually a specific period
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay