Driving in Albania vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Albania and Spain, understanding their distinct traffic regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key disparities include speed limits, usage of bus lanes, and the approach to alcohol consumption behind the wheel. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 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 can be paid at the scene. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
albania:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
spain:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
albania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
albania:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay