Driving in Montenegro vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
Explore the contrasting driving landscapes of Montenegro and Switzerland. While Montenegro allows overtaking on dashed lines and has a higher alcohol limit, Switzerland enforces stricter speed regulations and utilizes variable speed limits. Understanding these essential distinctions can significantly enhance your safety and confidence when navigating these unique road environments.
Lanes
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | 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 | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
montenegro:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
montenegro:
Not applicable
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
montenegro:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
montenegro:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
montenegro:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Montenegro | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Montenegrin; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Sometimes allowed, check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays | 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 | Yes, periodic inspections required | 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
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
montenegro:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use common but regulated | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
montenegro:
0.03%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
montenegro:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
montenegro:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Montenegro | 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
montenegro:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
montenegro:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available from several organizations; check locally | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
montenegro:
122
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Montenegro | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, amount varies | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, amount varies | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, amount varies | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 8 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay