Scandanavian rules of the road

[barrysharp]

I've driven in Europe several times but not in the Scandanavian countries. I'm interested to know what are the most significant differences in the road rules for Sweden/Norway vs. America.

I assume there aren't 'free right turns' at stops and traffic lights and one must use DRLs, but what are some of the more important ones to observe?

Are there some unwritten rules that locals abide by that I should know about. For example, headlight flashing is common and it's not always clear to me what the other driver means by this.

Of course speed limits are in KPH rather than MPH and distances are in Kilometers and not Miles. Are there octagonal STOP signs?

I know I can read up on most of this stuff but I'm simply looking for some helpful hints (from maybe Mr Westlake) to make my driving error free and safe or at least close to this.  http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Will it be OK or not to drive after say one glass of beer or wine -- as I notice the alcohol blood limit is pretty darn low in Sweden (0.02%).

Thanks.

[kersti]

I have driven there and overall no problem but I know my cousin's 12 year old daughter riding with us kept making comments and seeming disgusted at things I did, so I probably need the advice too. From what I have heard, absolutely no alcohol when you are the driver.

Kersti

[barrysharp]

Will the car's license plate(s) that FDC provides mark you conspicuously as A TOURIST? If so, is this good or bad wrt how local drivers treat you?

Is the use of the horn frowned upon?

[purush]

I am afraid Barry and Kersti's questions are open ended.   I don't know what to say.   While someone like Mr_Westlake is best equipped to offer advise, here are a few tips based on my experience:

(a) absolutely no alcohol,
(b) on two-way two-lane highways be courteous and move to the right when someone wants to pass (lanes are typically 50% larger than US lanes, and also have a larger shoulder),
© during city-driving, where are there are tons of cyclists and people on foot, stop/slow down at all pedestrian crossings,
(d) in Gothenburg, stay off the Tram lanes!   It is tempting to use them, and will definitely invite a big fine.
(e) stick to speed limits, Swedish Police are less forgiving  than in France and Germany.

Can't think of anything else, as driving in Scandinavia didn't seem any different from driving in small towns of NA.

re: tourist plates attracting crooks' attention -- don't sweat about it as there is no need to.  

regards
Purush


regards
Purush

[hordtheviking]

The only things that I would add/reiterate are:

1. NO ALCOHOL AT ALL, they don't mess around like we do, if you drink anything, don't drive there. If caught you will not be slapped on the wrist and sent on your way, it will be a major hassle.

2. The only thing that got me a little was that they use a lot more "yield" signs then we do and they look different, a yellow triangle with a red border. They're often where you'd expect a stop sign.

3. They don't tolerate left lane lollygagging on the highway http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif like we do here either, if you're in the left lane, pass or move over.

Otherwise it's pretty much the same.

Have fun and drive carefully!!

[rkestner]

i did not use the special license plate holder noting fdc to further limit my immediate identification as a foreigner.  here is a picture of my license from september of last year


http://www.zianet.com/k235family/v1.jpg

horns are used ONLY for emergency.  drls required in scandinavia.  drive on the right side of the road.  only use the left lane for passing.

[rkestner]

oops, got two photos of the same, nm plate     here is the european one

[Mr_Westlake]

Better late then ever they use to say. I’ am sorry that I haven’t been able to answer your questions earlier. But everyone here has already told you the most important things about driving in Sweden, thanks everyone! And there is no big difference between Sweden and Norway so there shouldn’t be any problem for you to drive in Norway if you can drive in Sweden. Here are some links to collect info from:
http://www.ospreyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/edr/sweden.htm
http://www.ospreyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/edr/sweden2.htm
http://www.ospreyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/edr/norway.htm
http://www.ospreyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/edr/norway2.htm
http://www.alltravelnorway.com/Norway/Car_Rental/Driving_Tips.htm
http://www.alltravelnorway.com/Norway/Car_Rental/Road_Signs.htm
http://www.vv.se/for_lan....eng.pdf (http://www.vv.se/for_lang/english/safety/P%C3%A5%20v%C3%A4g%20i%20Sve_eng.pdf)
http://www.iexplore.com/dmap/Sweden/Visa+and+Travel+Advisories
http://www.bugeurope.com/transport/drivese.html

And a few comments from me:

Barry wrote:</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> “Are there octagonal STOP signs?” [/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>Yes and they look like this.
http://user.tninet.se/~mzq489v/bild/stop.gif Stop sign.
Barry wrote: </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">“Will the car&#39;s license plate(s) that FDC provides mark you conspicuously as A TOURIST? If so, is this good or bad wrt how local drivers treat you?”[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'> In Gothenburg there is no problem to drive they are very forgiving I don’t think they will treat you different with (your special license plate) or without (Swedish license plate). There is only hard traffic a couple of hours every afternoon. (15.30 –17.30).

You can take a look at some of the other Swedish signs here. http://www.korkortsprovet.com/vagmarken.html

Hordtheviking wrote:</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> “2. The only thing that got me a little was that they use a lot more &quot;yield&quot; signs then we do and they look different, a yellow triangle with a red border. They&#39;re often where you&#39;d expect a stop sign.”[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'> Here is an example.
http://user.tninet.se/~mzq489v/bild/yield.gif Yield sign.

And here is a sign that you should respect. Be careful when driving on rural roads without an animal fence.
http://user.tninet.se/~mzq489v/bild/moose.gif Warning sign (moose).

[barrysharp]

MR_Westlake:

MANY THANKS for your reply and the information links.

Even though I&#39;ve driven several times in UK I&#39;ve never really become comfortable with the zig zag white lines &quot;/&#92;/&#92;/&#92;&quot; &nbsp;http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I&#39;ll take special care and so will my son when encountering the Moose signs.

Those Yield signs will take us getting used to as well&#33;

It also looks like we should plan on taking a relaxing glass of wine/beer AFTER the days drive as well http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[rkestner]

thanks for the signs mr. westlake.