Driving in Paraguay vs. Sweden: Key Safety Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison explores the distinctive traffic norms of Paraguay and Sweden, revealing key contrasts in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will help safeguard your driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Rarely, usually prohibited. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mainly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
paraguay:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
sweden:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
sweden:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
paraguay:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
paraguay:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
paraguay:
40 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
110 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
paraguay:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
paraguay:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
sweden:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
paraguay:
Common
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Paraguay | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; standard symbols used as well | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
paraguay:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
paraguay:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
paraguay:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
paraguay:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
paraguay:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
paraguay:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
paraguay:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
paraguay:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
paraguay:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
paraguay:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
paraguay:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
paraguay:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
paraguay:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
paraguay:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
paraguay:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
paraguay:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
paraguay:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
paraguay:
Not mandatory
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent than in some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to allow passage | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
paraguay:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
paraguay:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
paraguay:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
paraguay:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
paraguay:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
paraguay:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police checkpoints | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
paraguay:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
paraguay:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
paraguay:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
paraguay:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
paraguay:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
paraguay:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
paraguay:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
paraguay:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
paraguay:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
paraguay:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
paraguay:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
paraguay:
911
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
paraguay:
911
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
paraguay:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
paraguay:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Paraguay | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply; amount varies | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; amount varies | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines and penalties | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 30 days | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
paraguay:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
paraguay:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.