Driving in Saudi Arabia vs. Switzerland: Key Differences
Discover how driving experiences diverge between Saudi Arabia and Switzerland in our comprehensive comparison. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations and emergency contacts, understanding these crucial distinctions can enhance your travel safety. Whether navigating bustling city streets or serene rural roads, being informed ensures a smooth journey abroad.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
saudi arabia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
Yes
switzerland:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
saudi arabia:
Minimum two or three occupants
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
switzerland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Saudi arabia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Saudi arabia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspection required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
switzerland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, random checkpoints are used | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
switzerland:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Saudi arabia | 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
saudi arabia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
saudi arabia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
saudi arabia:
999
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | 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
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
saudi arabia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay