Driving in Peru vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
Explore the unique road regulations and motoring customs of Peru and Sweden. From lane markings to speed limits, these countries showcase distinct approaches to vehicle operation and traffic safety. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey abroad, ensuring that drivers are well-prepared for the unique challenges they may encounter.
Lanes
| Peru | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
peru:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
peru:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
peru:
N/A
sweden:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
peru:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Peru | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; often collected by traffic police | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
peru:
40-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
peru:
90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
80 km/h
sweden:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
100-120 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
peru:
100 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
90 km/h
sweden:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
peru:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Peru | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Peru | 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; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
peru:
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
peru:
Not used in Peru
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
peru:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
peru:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
peru:
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
peru:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
peru:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
peru:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
peru:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Peru | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | 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 | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting | 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
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
peru:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
peru:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
peru:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
peru:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Peru | 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, proof is required during checks | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Typically displayed on vehicle | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
peru:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
peru:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
peru:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Peru | 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 | Often used more compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | 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
peru:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
peru:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
peru:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
peru:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
peru:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
peru:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
peru:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Peru | 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; checkpoints used widely | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | 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
peru:
0.05%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
peru:
0.00%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
peru:
0.00%
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
peru:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
peru:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
peru:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
peru:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Peru | 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
peru:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
peru:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
peru:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
peru:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
peru:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
peru:
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
| Peru | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 105 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service | 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
peru:
105
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
peru:
Mandatory
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Peru | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | 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, enforcement can be strict | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, often substantial | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few days to pay | 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
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
peru:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
peru:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
peru:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.