Driving in Serbia vs. Switzerland: Key Differences Unveiled
When it comes to navigating the roads, Serbia and Switzerland present intriguing contrasts. From lane markings to speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Discover the essential variations that can impact your journey in these two diverse countries.
Lanes
| Serbia | 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: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
serbia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
serbia:
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: Markings
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
serbia:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Serbia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
serbia:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
serbia:
70 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
serbia:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Serbia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Serbia | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Serbian; symbols are standard | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Serbia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by city; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Serbia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
serbia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Serbia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police regularly perform checks | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by severity | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
serbia:
0.03%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
serbia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
serbia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Serbia | 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
serbia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
serbia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Serbia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 192 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1987 | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
serbia:
192
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
serbia:
1987
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
serbia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Serbia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €20 to €40 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €30 to €50 | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €30 to €50, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible for smaller fines | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 8 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
serbia:
€20 to €40
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
serbia:
€30 to €50
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay