Driving in Norway vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Norway and Switzerland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol tolerances. Understanding these variations can enhance your road safety and ensure a smoother journey in these picturesque countries.
Lanes
| Norway | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| 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.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
switzerland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Norway | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Norway | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
norway:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Norway | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Norway | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
norway:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Norway | 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
norway:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
norway:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Norway | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | CHF 100 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | 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
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
switzerland:
CHF 100
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay