Driving Differences: Norway vs. Slovakia Uncovered
When exploring the contrasting road regulations of Norway and Slovakia, drivers uncover notable distinctions in traffic rules, speed limits, and documentation requirements. Notably, Norway enforces stricter alcohol limits, while Slovakia mandates frequent vehicle inspections. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Norway | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
slovakia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
slovakia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
slovakia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
slovakia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
norway:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
slovakia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Signals
| Norway | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Norway | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Norway | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Norway | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
slovakia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Norway | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
slovakia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay