Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Spain: Key Differences
When exploring the driving landscape of Antigua and Barbuda compared to Spain, you'll encounter notable variations in road rules and regulations. From driving on opposite sides to distinct speed limits and the presence of bus lanes, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Get ready to navigate these diverse traffic customs with confidence!
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
spain:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
spain:
90 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
spain:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Spain |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
spain:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
antigua and barbuda:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
antigua and barbuda:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.