Driving in Slovenia vs. Switzerland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Slovenia and Switzerland, drivers encounter notable distinctions in traffic regulations and practices. Understanding these variations—from lane markings and speed limits to roadside assistance and penalties—ensures safer travel. Dive into this comprehensive comparison to enhance your driving experience in these two picturesque countries.
Lanes
| Slovenia | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
slovenia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
slovenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
slovenia:
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: Usage
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovenia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovenia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Slovenia | 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are often issued directly by police | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
slovenia:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
slovenia:
90 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
slovenia:
130 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovenia:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovenia:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Slovenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Slovenia | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Slovenian; 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
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Slovenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
slovenia:
Prohibited
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Slovenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits | 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 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
slovenia:
Displayed on windshield
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovenia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Slovenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside checks conducted | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines; varies based on offense | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
slovenia:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
slovenia:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Slovenia | 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
slovenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Lane Usage: Right
slovenia:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Slovenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1987 for AMZS | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
slovenia:
113
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovenia:
Mandatory
switzerland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Slovenia | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, €120 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, €120 | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, €250 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline | 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
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay