Driving in Sweden vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that shape their journey. From driving sides and lane markings to speed limits and enforcement strategies, understanding these disparities is vital for ensuring a secure and pleasant experience on foreign terrain. Discover the essential contrasts that will help you drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. | No crossing in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
sweden:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
trinidad and tobago:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
sweden:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sweden:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sweden:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
70-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sweden:
70-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
70-90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
90-120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
sweden:
90-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
80-90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sweden:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in Sweden. | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting. | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use is generally discouraged. | Unnecessary use 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 |
| 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 | Swedish; symbols are standard. | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
sweden:
Yellow
trinidad and tobago:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
trinidad and tobago:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
trinidad and tobago:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
trinidad and tobago:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
trinidad and tobago:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
trinidad and tobago:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
trinidad and tobago:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed. | Not 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 | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
sweden:
Prohibited.
trinidad and tobago:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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. | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Proof may be required to be shown. | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
trinidad and tobago:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards |
| 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 | Rarely used except for emergencies. | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left 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
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Flashing Lights: Misuse
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
trinidad and tobago:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
trinidad and tobago:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
trinidad and tobago:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
trinidad and tobago:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Pedestrians Priority
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
trinidad and tobago:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
trinidad and tobago:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| 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; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
trinidad and tobago:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
trinidad and tobago:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
trinidad and tobago:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left if you plan to take the first exit. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| 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
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
trinidad and tobago:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
trinidad and tobago:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
trinidad and tobago:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
trinidad and tobago:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
trinidad and tobago:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
trinidad and tobago:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
sweden:
112
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Sweden | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | SEK 1500, points on license. | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and possible points on license. | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically within 30 days to pay. | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
| 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
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
trinidad and tobago:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.
trinidad and tobago:
Possible if fines are not paid