Driving Differences: Romania vs. Switzerland
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Romania and Switzerland. From speed limits and lane markings to traffic signals and alcohol restrictions, this comparison reveals essential insights for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Understanding these key distinctions can significantly enhance your safety and confidence on the road.
Lanes
| Romania | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
switzerland:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
romania:
Not applicable
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
romania:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Romania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
romania:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
romania:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
romania:
Yes, common practice
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Romania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Romania | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Romanian; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
romania:
Not used in Romania
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
switzerland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Turns
| Romania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
romania:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Romania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | 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 the 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
romania:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Romania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use expected | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
romania:
Moderate use expected
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Romania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Considerable fines for offenses | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
romania:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
romania:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Romania | 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
romania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
romania:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Romania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or a local service | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
switzerland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Romania | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Hefty fines and possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable; license points may be added | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist
switzerland:
Possible if fines are not paid